Technological catch-up and strategic technology partnering in developing countries

This paper examines the trends in strategic technology partnering (STP) by firms from developing countries over the period 1980-94. The evidence shows that a small group of countries, namely the Asian NICs and Eastern Europe dominate STP activity. We also examine differences in organisational modes and how these have evolved over time, suggesting an increasing similarity between the NICs and Triad firms. Although it has been argued that these trends demonstrate the technological and economic ‘falling behind’ of most developing countries, we suggest that it may also represent fundamental differences in the economic structure of these countries and the ‘normal’ process of structural upgrading with development.