Technology Transfer in Construction Engineering Joint Venture Projects—The Case of South Africa

Construction Engineering Joint Venture (CEJV) projects are believed to be beneficial with regard to aiding technology transfer in the local construction industry, but still debatable whether such skills and technology transfer effectively occur in the hosting companies in developing economies. Substantial research on technology and skills transfer from an industrialized country companies to developing counterparts reveals worrying trends. South African construction companies are therefore not immune from these undesirable trends. Three main issues are dealt with in this paper: if foreign partnering company has knowledge and technology that the local partner is lacking; how Construction Engineering Joint Venture projects are structured at delivery stage; and key strategic elements of expertise transfer in Construction Engineering Joint Venture project relating to structure. The paper identifies, analyzes and interprets the critical success factors for speedy transfer of expertise and technology and proposes a conceptual project delivery structure that can accelerate the transfer of expertise.