In the recent past a number of technologies have been imported into The Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia. This experience has affirmed the conviction that technology can make an
invaluable contribution to the growth of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, in
doing so, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, like other nations, faces some questions of
possible obstacles, trials and errors during the course of industrial development and
technology transfer, that can be addressed by utilising science and technology efficiently
to develop many sectors, improve output of industry, develop standards and -status of
national manpower and its utilisation. This study analyses issues related to successful
technology transfer in Saudi industry
As such, the purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between industrial
development and technology transfer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the important
role that modem technology can play in development of the oil and petrochemicals
sectors. The aims are to provide a better understanding of the linkage between technology
transfer and industrial development strategies in general, with special emphasis on the
performance of the Saudi oil and petrochemical industry in particular. As such, to avoid
failures on technology transfer, it becomes an imperative to analyse technology transfer
by considering various approaches, as follows:
Technology and industry is a key to future growth in Saudi Arabia - The main
objective here is to locate, attract and keep industry. The concept of technology
and industry deals with role of technology and the dynamics of Saudi's industry
environment to excel in markets.
Strategy at the functional level - this relates to the various activities assigned to
different departments in the organisational structure. The concept means that all
functions must be conducted in accordance with industry, technology and strategy.
Strategy and technology - this means how to transfer an already existing
technology to Saudi industry.
Strategy for research and development - The concept deals mainly with how to
plan, finance and implement R&D for products, security, environmental protection
etc. Where to draw the line between general and specific objectives in R&D.
The chosen method to study these issues is case study analysis of SABIC (Saudi Basic
Industries Corporation) and Saudi Aramco (Saudi Arabian Oil Company). SABIC has
been established for two main strategic objectives that go together in two parallel lines.
The first objective aims to develop human resources and to turn them into a trained
category that has the capability to transfer, assimilate and develop the most sophisticated
technologies. The second objective aims to develop the natural resources and convert
them to industrial products, helping to diversify the domestic income sources and open the doors for building up processing industries to satisfy the local and external market
requirements. The first case study (SABIC) provides an overview of the phenomenon of
technology transfer to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For comparative purposes the
second case study involves a case study of Saudi Arabia's largest oil firm (Saudi
Aramco). These two case studies have been selected for their:
i role in technology transfer in Saudi oil and petrochemical sectors,
ii approach and access to greater resources in technology transfer,
iii exposure of firm behaviour in the Saudi industrial sector,
iv contribution to Saudi economic development and realisation of additional income
through improved operations.
The two case studies, typical of large companies not only in Saudi Arabia but also in
the world, will address the obstacles in learning, committing and increasing performance
through technology transfer. These cases highlight a range of choices available in
technology transfer, which provide a wide range of means for technological learning
through transfer. They offer different opportunities for further innovation and technology
development.
Although Saudi Aramco and SABIC claim 80 percent and 73 percent " Saudisation",
respectively, the survey indicates that native Saudis need more participation and
involvement in technology process in order to raise their technological know-how.
As a result of this study, a common approach to technology transfer into Saudi Aramco
and SABIC may be developed and applied by industry, per its requirements to address
existing and prospective problems. At present Saudi Arabia has the capacity to absorb
new technologies in its growing industrial sector. This is required to meet its desired
objectives of becoming industrialised and self-sufficient in required technologies.
The real test of effective technology transfer in this study is the need to build Saudi local
technological capability supported by an effective learning strategy. The ultimate aim is
to expand the scope of this study beyond the academic level towards the practical
challenges of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of inward technology transfer for
future Saudi industrial development.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:CRANFIELD1/oai:dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk:1826/3894 |
| Date | 28 October 2009 |
| Creators | Ankari, A. A. |
| Contributors | Matthews, Prof R |
| Source Sets | CRANFIELD1 |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or dissertation, Doctoral, PhD |
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