Issues on partnering: evidences from subcontracting in aeronautics

This article presents the findings of exploratory research on technology tr ansfer and subcontracting in aeronautics. The purpose of this research is t o explore the impact that the type of subcontracting agreement (otherwise p artnering characteristics) could have on the level of technology transfer o ccurring between a main contractor and its subcontractors. The scope and th e nature of technology flows taking place through equipment acquisition or know-how and the complexities arising from the way the subcontracting relat ionships are managed are considered. The aeronautical industry was selected because it is technology-intensive a nd presents technology transfers. In our sample we observe that: (1) the ma in contractor and its subcontractors do not necessarily develop the same pe rceptions of their subcontracting agreements; (2) the technology transfer f lows are mainly unidirectional, going from the main contractor to its subco ntractors; and (3) partnering seems to be an idealized condition rather tha n a reality. The managerial implications of our findings are discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.