Identifying the Factors Affecting Technological Learning in Developing Countries

Technological learning is defined as an endogenous way of generating technological capabilities in developing countries, reflecting the ability of an organization to effectively use, absorb and adapt external technologies, and develop new technologies over time, responding to environmental changes. Three important features of technology learning include gradual technological change, international diffusion of technology and local technological endeavors. In this research, the factors influencing technological learning have been identified. According to studies, two main components, including technological capability (absorptive capacity) and catch up strategy have been introduced as key components. Then, by analyzing the components, the main factors of each are identified and modeled. Capabilities are identified with a set of factors that are categorized as enterprise factors (including internal knowledge of employees, organizational strategies, and technological capabilities), national factors (including market conditions and competitive environment, culture and education, policies and regulations, and Technical infrastructure) and global factors (including fluidity, multiplicity of innovations, and complexity of technologies). The level of these capabilities will determine the catch up strategy. Understanding these factors help to influence the speed and power of technological learning in firms and industries in developing countries. Considering the development of technological capabilities and absorptive capacity at the level of enterprises with the aim of promoting the localization of technology, choosing the appropriate method for acquiring technology in order to encourage learning and acquiring new skills, as well as paying attention to the development of complementary capabilities will lead to technological learning and the success of the technological plans in the country.