Factors Driving Latecomer Firms Technological Capability Acquiring and Building in Manufacturing Complex Product Systems: The Case of Oil Turbo Compressor Company (OTC)

During last decades a large amount of efforts have been done by emerging economies and developing countries in order to technological catch-up and acquiring essential knowledge and capabilities for manufacturing and development of complex products and systems. As an example, Iran has been doing a lot of efforts in order to acquire essential knowledge, skills and capabilities for manufacturing and developing gas turbines and it achieved pleasant and remarkable results. So, this paper through applying qualitative approach and case study strategy has investigated the successful experience of acquiring knowledge, technological and managerial capabilities of manufacturing industrial gas turbines by Oil Turbo Compressor Company (OTC) during IGT25 project and has identified drivers and factors effective on this successful experience. The evidence illustrate that government policies, supports and initiatives; networking, interaction and cooperating within key players and stakeholders; existence of significant local market and demand; strategy and mode of technology acquisition; organizational and managerial capabilities and contextual and enviornmental factors have played key role in acquiring knowledge and technologies of manufacturing gas turbines by Oil Turbo Compressor Company.