Rapporteur Report

Plenary Session 4

 

 

1.0             Title of Discussion

Access to Technology and New product Development

 

2.0             Presenter

Dr. Morgen Chateuka (Zimbabwe)

 

3.0             Chairperson / Moderator

Mr. Osorio Mauricio

 

4.0             Rapporteurs

1)                   Muhammad Saifullah DP Hj Mustajab

2)                   Hjh Rose Hj Karim

 

5.0             Presentation and Discussion

 

1)                   Abstract /Overview

Lack of access to technology is one of the major hindrances to development of most of the SMEs in less industrialized countries. While they could have good ideas of what they may want to achieve, in most cases they remain at the same level due to lack of access to technology in terms of lack of knowledge of technology improvement in processes and the hardware used in the efficient uses of the process. The other factor is the development. Most of these SMEs are fond of copying product without changing the design for the betterment of their operation, from major or large companies. They seem to find that the process of developing new products being too expensive.

 

2)                   Main Points and Issues Discussed

5.2.1                   The application of Modern Manufacturing Systems and Concepts.

5.2.2                   The use of Network Approach to access Technology and New product Development.

·       The Global Enterprise Network

·       Network Business Structures (NBS)

5.2.3                   New Product Development Process.

5.2.4                   Issues of Simple and Sophisticate of technology.

5.2.5                   Issues of Copyright and Patent of technology.

 

6.0             Suggestions and Conclusions

 

·       The Modern Manufacturing Systems can be adopted by any entrepreneurs.

·       All Technology acquired must be modified to suit the local culture or specific market requirements.

·       Entrepreneurs must be innovative in managing technology and be able to maximise the acquired technology either managing on its own or joint technology with other entrepreneurs or business networks.

·       Brokers play important roles in linking entrepreneurs in order to gain access to technology.

·       The Governments must provide policy to facilitate the imports and usage of technology to be used by entrepreneurs especially for added value.  

·       As a mechanism, Government may buy the technology or the equipment for the use of entrepreneurs.