Transfer of Space Technologies in Iran: Drivers and Constraints of Success.

Understanding how publicly funded technologies could diffuse industries and other sectors in developing countries has been a challenge for researchers in the field of cross-sector technology transfer. Specifically, advanced technologies are rarely commercialized or transferred to industries. Technology transfer projects are highly dependent on many regional and contextual conditions. This study aims to determine how high-tech technology transfer in a developing economy can be operationalized by studying its complexities. A thematic analysis was applied to semi-structured interviews with 18 participants in the qualitative phase, investigating the critical factors affecting the transfer of space technologies to other sectors. The results explained the critical factors within ten categories and their inter-relation with one another. The results suggest that technology transfer in high-tech industries can be better understood if analyzed within a complex paradigm. Policy recommendations and implications have been presented in three layers, dealing with systems, responsibilities, and direct failures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]