The strategies and the factors that influence technology acquisition channels. Case study: Iranian die-making industries

In recent years, technology has played a significant role in the development of many countries and in the creation of wealth for individuals as well as corporations. Literature shows that, in normal conditions, several factors influence the acquisition, the implementation and the success of a certain technology. Those factors may differ depending on the country acquiring the technology or the acquired technology itself. Understanding the optimum match between a country or an industrial firm operating in that country and a particular technology is very useful for investment decisions. This paper presents the factors that influence the selection of an appropriate technology acquisition channel. To illustrate this process a case study of Iranian small and medium die-making industries is investigated using the grounded theory. The data used in the analysis is collected through in-depth interviews with many S&M Iranian industries. The results of the investigation indicate that there are new factors that have not been mentioned before in the literature. Furthermore, the complex interrelationships between those factors are outlined. The proposed model has been validated by those who participated in the interviews and the experts consulted herewith. Copyright © 2015 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.