MTAP

The role of intermediaries in helping small and medium-sized U.S. firms transfer technology to new, small businesses in developing countries is examined. After introductory discussion of the compatibility of the needs of U.S. and Third World firms, the potential for and obstacles to linking firms and the study's methodology, the authors present a typology of intermediaries and an indepth analysis of their role, including, inter alia, the characteristics of successful intermediaries. The impact of world events (e.g., the international debt crisis) on the types of enterprises sought by collaborating firms is examined. Present intermediary activities are briefly described and a case study is made of the organizational and operating constraints of a sample firm. Pricing and fee issues are raised and the complementarity of intermediaries to A.I.D. activities is discussed. Case studies on various intermediary organizations make up a concluding section. Appendices include further discussion of the study's methodology, data sources, and questionnaire results, as well as examples of intermediaries working in Costa Rica.

Source: DEC abstract, PN-AAU-921 (1985). This is the source's own text, not a cited summary of the documents.