Technology transfer strategies for the FPRDI'S drying facilities : the case of Regions 3, 4 and NCR / Zenaida R. Reyes

Year : 2010

Number of Pages : 33 leaves

Adviser : Dr. Roger D. Posadas

Executive Summary

The drying facilities of the FPRDI include the furnace type lumber dryer, the handicraft dryer and the bamboo dryer. As the leading technology being transferred by the Institute, this study was conducted to assess the technology transfer strategies being undertaken by the Institute in Regions 3, 4 and the NCR. Specifically, the study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the techno transfer strategies for the FPRDI drying facilities, determine the decision level of adoptors on the technology adoption process, determines the types of adoptors of the drying facilities according to firm technology adoption. Data were analyzed using Friedman's and Kendall's coefficient of concordance. Results showed the effectiveness of site visits/assessments in transferring the technology to the furniture, handicraft, pallet and lumber industry sectors. Majority of the respondents (80 percent) funded the acquisition/installation of the technology and only 20 percent obtained financial assistance from the DOST's Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP). The study showed favorable attitude to the adoption of the technology with attainment of product quality as the prime consideration in technology adoption. The technology adoptors in Regions 3, 4 and NCR are in the lumber, furniture, pallets and handicraft industries. Majority (60 percent) are classified as small enterprise with assets of P3M up to P15M, 30 percent are classified as micro-enterprise and only 10 percent are medium scale. Decades have passed and the drying facilities continue to be the most in-demand technology of the Institute. According to Rogers (1985), the transfer of technology depends upon the three systems : the Knowledge Generating System (Research) Knowledge Disseminating System (Extension Personnel) and the Knowledge Disseminating System (Extension Personnel) and the Knowledge Consuming System (Actual Users of the Technology). The extension personnel's main function is to transfer the technology to the user of the technology, get feedback and pass it to research. Close cooperation of the three systems is important for the effective transfer of the technology. Good working relationships among all the three systems need to be established to enable the Institute to design an effective technology transfer strategy.