An investigation into the technology transfer barriers of the electronic train control systems installed on the South African railway network — A study into SA's freight rail operator

Technology transfer is the process of moving technology for use and understanding from one organisation to another for the technology recipient to achieve and implement technology developments and innovations. The technology transfer process is a complex, volatile and iterative one, which requires the flow of information and knowledge between the transferor and the transferee. This qualitative research aims to identify and investigate barriers to the technology transfer of the electronic train control projects undertaken by a South African freight rail operator (FRO) to upgrade its train control systems on several pilot sites. Ten staff members involved in the FRO's project management, maintenance, operations and training functions were interviewed. They have worked or are working on the various installed electronic train control systems. The thematic analysis findings revealed that the FRO is not equipped to exploit and further develop the technology. The barriers that contribute to this include the loss of vital skills internally, the project management of these technology transfer projects and the lack of flexibility of the technology regarding the local conditions and requirements of the FRO. The broadly analysed impact of the loss of skills in freight rail operations resulted in skills retention, adding to the initially proposed research model as a factor that contributes to the technology transfer process alongside learning, the transferor and transferee environment, language and procurement. Including a technology transfer office (internally or externally) could mitigate most of the identified barriers.