The role of technology transfer in improving manpower capability in private house building companies in Libya

Elgrari, OA

Abstract

During the last few decades, major transfers of enterprises ownership from public to
private sector have taken place around the world, as there is strong evidence supporting
the positive effects of privatisation. This change in the structure of economies in many
developing countries, coupled with the rapid pace of population growth, have improved
economic efficiency, peoples preferences, and have increased new housing demand.
However, the problem of lack of adequate housing has been common in Libya for many
years, due to the shortage of skilled professionals and the low level of knowledge in
advanced techniques of construction among house builders. Therefore, the construction
of houses has received much government attention, and has been identified as a priority
within the government policy. The Libyan Government has a target of 450,000 houses;
in a short time span, this level of construction will be very difficult to undertake with
the existing skills. Therefore, the government has invited foreign companies to work
with Libyan companies on completing large housing projects and improving manpower
capability. In this context, technology transfer from foreign to local companies is seen
as one of the most important features that improves the capability of privatised
companies. However, in Libya, the integration with foreign companies has not been
exploited in any systematic fashion.
This study aims to recommend strategies to improve manpower capability through
technology transfer within the context of the Government's privatisation and foreign
investor attraction programmes. Whilst the Government aimed at an overall
improvement in many areas of their economy through its liberalisation policies, this
research, in particular, investigates the factors that are of critical importance in
improving manpower capability with specific reference to its ability to address the
prevailing housing shortage in Libya. Therefore, a conceptual model for a potential
tripartite approach between the Government, Libyan Private House Building (LPHB)
companies and foreign companies was articulated within this research.
A multiple case study approach was adopted to conduct exploratory case studies into
joint venture housing projects in Libya. Guided by this overarching method, qualitative data was collected utilising the semi-structured interview technique and review of
company documentation. The primary data was analysed utilising the content analysis
technique.
The research findings suggest that there should be an interlinked tripartite strategy
between the Government, foreign companies and local private house building
companies to improve manpower capability so that the Government's housing targets
are achieved and sustained. The proposed integrated framework offers a targeted
approach to achieve a stepped change in achieving both a quantitative and qualitative
growth in the housing sector in Libya. The research makes an original contribution to
knowledge by:
1. Providing an insight into, and understanding of, the current status of Libyan
manpower within LPHB companies, which will be a useful resource for both
researchers (through the thesis, papers and journal publications), and
practitioners (through the provision specification of a guidebook on improving
manpower capability in the house building sector).
2. Relocating ideas and insights from privatisation literature within the research
undertaken on technology transfer and private housing developments with the
specific focus on the developing country context.
3. Providing a new example of the tripartite model for improving manpower
capability in the Libyan Housing Sector conceptualised and validated within
exploratory multiple case studies.
4. The research benefits both policy makers and practitioners in two distinct ways.
It benefits policy makers by providing recommendations in respect of the
introduction of technology appropriate to the Libyan market and technology
transfer mechanisms. Practitioners in housing will benefit from this study by
understanding both the technology acquisition as well as assimilation process.

Citation

Elgrari, O. The role of technology transfer in improving manpower capability in private house building companies in Libya. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2011