CHALLENGES OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: THE CASE OF PREFABRICATED ELEMENTS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION IN ADDIS ABABA CITY

Abstract

Many construction innovations incorporate technologies that have been transferred from one geographical area or discipline to another for the facing numerous difficulties in the industry. Technology Transfer (TT) is in the interest of many developing countries; however it is not pacing forward as its target. Many of developing countries set policy to transfer prefabricated construction technique, yet there was a problem on its succeeding. Technology transfer initiatives can be instrumental in solving a lot of challenges in building construction. Dynamic change is needed today to overcome new challenges in the construction industry. Adoption of prefabrication is one of the possible solutions to such problems. This paper assessed the challenges of transferring and expansion of prefabricated building construction techniques through both qualitative and quantitative research method. Besides, this study aims to evaluate the current status of prefabrication building transferring and adoption in Ethiopia and, identified the best channels of transferring and expanding the technology. An extensive literature review was conducted on this subject towards the understanding of TT and prefabricated building construction in developing countries. And, a set of questionnaire and semi-structured interview was used to collect the data. As well as two case studies was conducted. Mean index and RII method using SPSS, and Excel has been used to analyze the results. On this study the practice of prefabricated building technology in Ethiopia shows almost to non-existence. As numerous challenging factors are impeding the adoption, and development of prefabricated technology in developing countries. The result shows, limited awareness and trust on the technology and shortage of initial funds are the most challenging factors in transferring and expanding of prefabricated building technology in Ethiopia. Shortage of infrastructure is also one of the critical obstacle in expanding the technology. Furthermore, as the succeeding of adopting and developing of one technology was measure through the mechanism used to adapt and improve the technology. Hence the study shows trainings was the best way to transfer and sustain prefabricated technology. As well as sub-contracting was the second best way in transferring and sustaining the technology. Other critical channel to improve the technology was working in research and development.