Journal of Geographical Sciences >
Embedded technology transfer from an institution and culture nexus perspective: Experiences from the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard-Gauge Railway
Wang Jiaoe, Professor, specialized in transport geography and regional development studies. E-mail: wangje@igsnrr.ac.cn |
Received date: 2020-10-29
Accepted date: 2021-03-08
Online published: 2021-07-25
Supported by
Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA20010101)
Major Program of National Fund of Philosophy and Social Science of China(20&ZD099)
Copyright
Modern railway projects, characterized by “natural monopoly”, large investment, and far-reaching influences, are highly dependent on the institutional and cultural environments in China. The countries along the Belt and Road are characterized by weak institutions, unstable politics, and poor technology foundations, which are largely different from China. These factors are severe obstacles to international technology transfer. By summarizing the experiences from the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard-Gauge Railway (SGR) project, this study proposes a framework for embedded technology transfer with a technology-institution-culture nexus. The results indicate that technology localization, including technology standards, management mode, and industrial chain, should be realized in the process of technology transfer. Then, the host government ought to overhaul its institutional and policy framework to support the infrastructure projects. Moreover, the cultural conflicts between the transferor and transferee should be taken seriously. This experience could provide references for other international infrastructure technology transfers.
WANG Jiaoe , DU Fangye , WU Mingquan , LIU Weidong . Embedded technology transfer from an institution and culture nexus perspective: Experiences from the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard-Gauge Railway[J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2021 , 31(5) : 681 -698 . DOI: 10.1007/s11442-021-1865-5
Figure 1 Constraints of institutional and cultural differences on technology transfer |
Figure 2 Location of the SGR project in East Africa |
Figure 3 Timeline of the SGR project |
Figure 4 Construction and operation mode of the SGR project |
Figure 5 Growth of passengers and freight volume of the SGR project |
Table 1 Areas and proportions of vegetation coverage in the 5-km buffer zone along the SGR before and after construction |
Year | Vegetation coverage | 0-0.2 | 0.2-0.4 | 0.4-0.6 | 0.6-0.8 | 0.8-1 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | Area (km2) | 188.99 | 451.59 | 984.24 | 1239.48 | 1866.54 |
Proportion (%) | 4.00 | 9.54 | 20.55 | 26.20 | 39.45 | |
2017 | Area (km2) | 43.08 | 552.34 | 2062.18 | 1710.84 | 353.41 |
Proportion (%) | 0.91 | 11.70 | 43.67 | 36.23 | 7.48 |
Table 2 Area and proportion of ecological resources in the 5-km buffer zone along the SGR before (2013) and after construction (2017) |
Year | Type | Forest | Grass | Cropland | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | Area (km2) | 118.45 | 2230.69 | 1822.21 | 57.32 |
Proportion (%) | 2.50 | 47.17 | 38.54 | 11.79 | |
2017 | Area (km2) | 346.89 | 2775.22 | 1439.39 | 167.87 |
Proportion (%) | 7.33 | 58.68 | 30.44 | 3.55 |
Figure 6 Framework of embedded technology transfer in the SGR project regarding institution, culture, and technology |
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