The World Bank and many other agencies have recognised that technology intermediation
is needed to reduce barriers to technology transfer associated with information,
management, technology, and financing (World Bank, 1993; Martinot et al., 1997;
Heaton et al., 1994). Research on technology innovation also highlights the
role of intermediaries in the innovation process (Dodgson and Bessant, 1996,
p.54; see also Section 4.3 on National Systems of Innovation
and Technology Infrastructure). Examples of technology intermediaries include
specialised government agencies, energy-service companies, non-governmental
organisations, university liaison departments, regional technology centres,
research and technology organisations, electric power utilities, and cross-national
networks. Non-governmental organisations in particular are playing a greater
role in technology intermediation; for example, there are many cases where technology
intermediation by NGOs played a key role in the success of particular technology
transfer efforts for renewable energy (Kozloff and Shobowale, 1994). The functions
of technology intermediaries can include:
In general, there are seven key questions for policies that promote technology intermediaries:
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