Browsing by Author "Marais, Rian"

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    Constructing a framework that facilitates technology transfer to sub-Saharan Africa : a healthcare perspective
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-04) Marais, Rian; Grobbelaar, Sara; De Kock, Imke; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Industrial Engineering. Dept. of Industrial Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Healthcare technology transfer aims to alleviate healthcare burdens in developing nations through a combination of acquisitions and collaborative technology development. Although technology transfer may be viewed as a mature field and while various technology transfer models exist, few focus on health-related concepts in developing nations. This study sets out to develop a framework capable of facilitating health-related technology transfer to sub-Saharan Africa. A systematic conceptual literature review is conducted to identify the major characteristics of technology transfer. The review outlines the evolution of technology transfer, critical technology transfer stakeholders and their roles, the available technology transfer methods, the requirement for knowledge transfer as well as known technology transfer barriers. A systematic comparative literature review is conducted to refine the focus of the study towards healthcare technology transfer case studies completed in sub-Saharan Africa. Fifty-one case studies are compared to identify the required infrastructure components, technology transfer methods utilised as well as the stakeholders involved. Based on the outcomes of the literature reviews, a conceptual framework is developed. This framework is divided into five phases and aims to guide a user through the phases of technology development, technology analysis, technology transfer method application, change management and commercialisation. Multiple guidelines and managerial best practices are provided at each phase. The conceptual framework is evaluated using an evaluation procedure consisting of three levels. The first level utilises the outcomes of 16 semi-structured interviews conducted with healthcare and technology transfer industry experts. The second level utilises the outcomes of a survey instrument completed by 89 healthcare technology managers. The conceptual framework is retrospectively applied to three healthcare TT case studies for the third level of the evaluation procedure. Issues identified during this evaluation procedure are mitigated by conflating the outcomes into the existing framework. The final consolidated framework is presented along with individual phase expansions.