A Causal Relationship Analysis of Critical Factors to Successful Technology Transfer, based on Grey DEMATEL Method

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework of critical factors for effective and efficient technology transfer which prioritized by considering their interactional relationships using a Grey-based DEMATEL approach. For this purpose, according to the literature, five main dimensions were identified which totally include 24 factors. Then, to analyze and prioritize the interactional relationships of these factors an online questionnaire shared among professors and experts in this field and finally 20 completed questionnaires collected. To analyze interactions of factors in each dimensions, first, experts‟ opinion (under uncertainty) stated in form of grey numbers and then unified into a single opinion. Subsequently, to normalize the opinions, the total matrix of all factors are calculated. At the end, interactional relationships of factors analyzed with regards to the values of R, D, R+D and R-D which calculated in DEMATEL approach. The results show effectiveness, influence, and interactional relationships of the critical factors to successful technology transfer.