The management of maintenance technology transfer in the South African aviation industry

Abstract

This paper reports on research into the technology transfer activities of South African aviation industry companies. The technologies surrounding the maintenance function were investigated, since this is one of the main functions in this industry. The investigation shows the extent to which technology is transferred from external sources to the individual companies. The investigation was also extended to cover internal technology transfer. The result of the investigation indicated the sources of technology, the mechanisms used for transfer, and the barriers to the transfer process both for internal and external technology transfer. The paper concludes with a look into what the future may hold for maintenance in the aviation industry given the current trend in technology development.

Hierdie artikel beskryf navorsing oor die tegnologie-oordrag aktiwiteite van Suid-Afrikaanse lugvaartnywerheidmaatskappye. Die tegnologieë wat verband hou met die onderhoudfunksie is ondersoek, aangesien dit een van die hooffunksies in dié nywerheidsektor is. Die ondersoek toon die omvang van tegnologie-oordrag van eksterne bronne na individuele maatskappye. Die ondersoek is uitgebrei om ook interne tegnologie-oordrag in te sluit. Die resultaat van die ondersoek het die bronne van tegnologie, die oordrag-meganismes en die versperrings tot interne en eksterne oordrag, geïdentifiseer. Die artikel sluit af met 'n toekomsblik vir instandhouding vir die lugvaartnywerheid in die lig van huidige neigings in tegnologiese ontwikkeling.