Technology transfer and cooperation for low carbon energy technology: Analysing 30 years of scholarship and proposing a research agenda

Click here to view record
Main author: Kirchherr, Julian
Other authors: Urban, Frauke
Format: Journal Article           
Online access: Click here to view record


id eprints-26338
recordtype eprints
institution SOAS, University of London
collection SOAS Research Online
language English
language_search English
description While North-South technology transfer and cooperation (NSTT) for low carbon energy technology has been implemented for decades, South-South technology transfer and cooperation (SSTT) and South-North technology transfer and cooperation (SNTT) have only recently emerged. Consequently, the body of literature on NSTT is mature, while the body on SSTT and SNTT is still in its infancy. This paper provides a meta-synthesis of the scholarly writings on NSTT, SSTT and SNTT from the past 30 years. We specifically discuss core drivers and inhibitors of technology transfer and cooperation, outcomes as well as outcome determinants. We find policies and practices for low carbon development to be the main driver, both pushed by governments and international aid programs, as well as by firms that are interested in expanding overseas. Inhibitors include a non-existent market in the host countries and the abundance of cheap fossil fuel resources that price out renewables. The literature is divided on whether intellectual property rights are inhibitors or drivers of technology transfer to the Global South. Outcomes of technology transfer and cooperation are mixed with approximately one-third of instances reported as successful technology transfer and another one-third reported as failures. Core key success factors were identified as suitable government policies as well as adequate capacities in the recipient country. This analysis is then followed by an introduction of the papers of the special issue 'South-South Technology Transfer and Cooperation for Low Carbon Energy Technologies’. Finally, a research agenda for future work on NSTT, SSTT and SNTT is proposed.
format Journal Article
author Kirchherr, Julian
author_facet Kirchherr, Julian
Urban, Frauke
authorStr Kirchherr, Julian
author_letter Kirchherr, Julian
author2 Urban, Frauke
author2Str Urban, Frauke
title Technology transfer and cooperation for low carbon energy technology: Analysing 30 years of scholarship and proposing a research agenda
publisher Elsevier
publishDate 2018
url https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/26338/

Similar items