INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AS AN INSTRUMENT OF STATE INNOVATION POLICY

Master Thesis analyses patterns of technology transfer policy, focusing on transferring tacit (implicit) knowledge. For that reason, foreign direct investment as a channel of technology transfer is not considered, more attention is paid for purchasing technology, patents and labour turnover and collaborative international projects. The fact that it is transferring tacit (implicit) knowledge that triggered technological development is argued in this study. First part of the thesis is devoted to the theoretical aspects of international technology transfer. First section analyses the channels of technology transfer, second section considers it as a part of technology policy. Practical part consists of three sections, where the qualitative analysis usefully supplements and extents the quantitative. Mainly, analysis of technology transfer channels is held in comparative perspective. Firstly, international analysis is provided so that to outline the whole situation and define patterns of technology transfer policies. Four groups are defined, on the basis of their export / import policy and expenditures on research and development. In addition to support the main idea, factor analysis is held. Relying on this section results and using the theories “best fit” and “best practice” China is chosen as a country for further detailed comparison with Russia. Data is gathered from various international organisations such as Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), The World Bank (WB), Russian Federal Statistics Service, and Worldwide Patent Statistical Database. Finally, the work concludes with the major findings and recommendations.The novelty of this project consists in regarding international technologies transfer as a key element of Russian innovation development. The core contribution is to present evidence, based on statistical comparative analysis of actual data, of the impact of technology transfer (its implicit part) on developing countries by the example of Russia and China.