Title: China's aircraft industry: collaboration and technology transfer – the case of Airbus

Authors: Soren Eriksson

Addresses: Jonkoping International Business School, Box 1026, SE-551 11, Jonkoping, Sweden

Abstract: China has moved a long way in economic and industrial development during the last decades and has developed into a global player in many industries. With increased knowledge in high-technology industries, China has ambitions to move into sectors that necessitate a high level of research and development, such as the aerospace industry. China is now in the process of establishing a modern aircraft industry based on domestic efforts as well as agreements with foreign partners in the manufacturing of complete aircraft. This paper analyses what measures have been taken by Airbus in the form of technology transfer and other supportive measures to strengthen its position in the Chinese market. The findings conclude that Airbus| transfer should be looked upon as a broad spectrum of technology and knowledge transfer, which include aircraft manufacturing technology, as well as cabin crew training centre, establishment of a warehouse and suppliers |village|, an engineering centre, maintenance and various service functions.

Keywords: aircraft industry; China; high technology; knowledge transfer; explicit knowledge; tacit knowledge; Airbus; collaboration; economic development; industrial development; R&D; research and development; foreign partners; cabin crews; employee training; warehouses; manufacturing engineering; maintenance services; technology transfer; commercialisation; globalisation; aerospace industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTTC.2010.035398

International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, 2010 Vol.9 No.4, pp.306 - 325

Published online: 30 Sep 2010 *

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