Technology transfer represents the single most important hope of alleviating
the ever widening gap between the haves and have-nots in the world. It may
provide an accelerated and long-lasting growth for the world's poor
nations. Similarly, by encouraging technology transfer among the rich
nations, mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence among nations
may result. It is hoped that this book will make a significant contribution in
both of these extremely critical issues.

However important the present status of technology is, it will be far more
crucial in the future. During the coming two decades or so, the nations of
the world will experience tremendous amounts of technology transfer. If
these transfer processes are successful, the world will become a better place
to live in and a safer place than before. Thus, technology transfer is the
viable alternative to war and poverty, and we all must do our part to sustain
it and to make it more successful.

I am grateful to Lynn Taylor, the Quorum Books editor at Greenwood
Press, for suggesting that I put this book together. We called it a handbook
because by exploring the lesser known aspects of technology transfer, it will
facilitate successful transfer of technology throughout the world.

Many people were extremely helpful in this project. First and foremost to
the contributors to this volume go my deepest gratitude. They worked
extremely diligently and produced chapters that will make a considerable
contribution to the theory and practice of technology transfer.

My assistants, David Randall and Jennifer Helm, were very helpful in
searching for basic information and key references. Our secretaries Becky
Glick, Wanda Belcher, and Janice Blevins were always available and rose to
the challenge of reading my sometimes totally illegible handwriting. My col-
leagues in the Department of Marketing, through their reactions to my
seminars relating to technology transfer, made a profound impact on my
thinking.

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