The state of international technology transfer in the Northern Europe region: Comparative analysis by modern multiple criteria methods

Abstract

The undiminished importance of international technology transfer (ITT) consistently attracts attention from scientists, businesses, and governments. The OECD acknowledges the benefits of the ITT and emphasises that European countries should be open to new opportunities that ITT brings in each economic sector, from primary to tertiary. The mining sector does not represent an exception. ITT contributes to job creation and growth worldwide by creating new markets and expanding existing ones. ITT transforms human fifes and surrounding very quickly. The TT improves production efficiency, stimulates growth; reformats patterns of sectors; brings new opportunities to every capital owner, and improves economic well-being among people worldwide. At the same time, it changes the value system and, in many cases, seriously harms the environment. Despite the researchers' focus on ITT, more complex research still needs to assess the factors of such phenomena. The article contributes to creating a more comprehensive methodology for evaluating the ITT environment not only in the mining sector but also in the other field of the primary sector. For analysis, the authors use popular Multiple Criteria Decision Aid (MCDA) methods and develop objective methods for criteria weights calculation. The study evaluates and compares internal conditions for OECD Northern Europe countries to implement, develop and share technologies. For this purpose, a set of 16 quantitative criteria was created; their hierarchical structure with four categories was set. A detailed comparative analysis of the state of the countries in terms of favourable conditions for the ITT was performed.