Reverse Engineering as a channel for Technology Transfer: Metal and Engineering Industries in Ethiopia
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Date
2011-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The process of duplicating an existing part, subassembly, or product without drawings,
documentation, or a computer model is known as reverse engineering. Reverse engineering is
non-market channel of technology transfer. Through this, technology adaptation, adoption and
capability can be built. Currently, the government of Ethiopia is working on import substitution
and tries to minimize the spare parts, equipment and machineries requirement of the leather,
textile, food processing, construction, sugar and cement processing industries by a substantial
percentage. The main emphasis is due given for the success of reverse engineering. Moreover,
metal and engineering sector is a leading economy of the sector.
This research focuses on reverse engineering and technology transfer in metal and engineering
sectors of Ethiopia. The objectives of the research is to identify the status of reverse engineering
in the country, the efforts of local research and development, government policies on reverse
engineering and propose a means to strengthen reverse engineering and technology transfer in
the country.
Using firm level survey together with the secondary data’s obtained from different research and
others work, the reverse engineering and technology transfer is assessed. Accordingly, the
awareness level of the firms and the undertakings of reverse engineering are significant. The
available markets, technical capability and demands for adapted products using reverse
engineering are also encouraging for most sectors due to the shortage of foreign currency in the
country. Moreover, the research identified the major constraints of the firms not to develop the
reverse engineering practice and transfer technology such as low government support which
accounts 63.6% of the respondent and lack of research and development at the firm level which
accounts to 81.8% of the surveyed company.
The study has developed a model and proposed a solution for the successful implementation of
reverse engineering and for developing research and development at the firm level.
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Keywords
Technology transfer, reverse engineering, technological capability, import substitution