Technology Transfer Gears Over Oil Refinery

Decoding Tech Transfer: A Guide to Company Rankings and Success Factors

Elliot Brynn in Tech & Innovation June 2025 • 5 min read.

"Unlock the secrets of successful technology adoption: FAHP and fuzzy TOPSIS reveal top companies and key factors."

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, the ability to effectively acquire and implement new technologies is paramount for businesses striving to maintain a competitive edge. Companies are increasingly recognizing that internal research and development alone may not be sufficient to keep pace with the latest advancements. As a result, technology transfer – the process of adopting technologies developed elsewhere – has become a critical strategy for growth and innovation.

Technology transfer is not a straightforward process. It involves numerous complexities, from identifying the right technologies to successfully integrating them into existing operations. Researchers and practitioners alike have dedicated significant effort to understanding the factors that contribute to successful technology transfer. These include personnel expertise, organizational structure, technological compatibility, and industry dynamics.

This article delves into a study that ranks companies based on their effectiveness in technology transfer, utilizing two sophisticated analytical techniques: Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). By exploring the methodologies and findings of this research, we aim to provide insights into the key determinants of successful technology transfer and offer valuable lessons for organizations seeking to enhance their technology adoption strategies.

FAHP and Fuzzy TOPSIS: Ranking Tech Transfer Factors

Technology Transfer Gears Over Oil Refinery

The study employs Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and fuzzy TOPSIS to evaluate which factors are most vital for technology transfer success. Both methodologies are used to rank companies based on how well they apply technology transfer elements to boost their competitive advantages in the oil sector. FAHP is used to weigh and rank the factors, while fuzzy TOPSIS is employed to score the firms. Three Iranian oil industry companies—an oil pipeline and telecommunications firm, an oil product distribution firm, and a national gas company—were examined using the opinions of industry specialists.

Both the FAHP and fuzzy TOPSIS approaches' detailed processes are broken down into logical steps. First, participants fill out a questionnaire in which they rate the relative relevance of the different model components. The study next employs fuzzy logic to handle the ambiguity inherent in expert opinions. After that, FAHP is used to prioritize the variables, and fuzzy TOPSIS is used to rank the businesses according to their performance.

Fuzzy AHP: Employs fuzzy logic to handle the imprecision and subjectivity inherent in human judgments. It allows for pairwise comparisons of factors, ultimately deriving weights reflecting their relative importance.
Fuzzy TOPSIS: Ranks alternatives based on their proximity to the ideal solution and distance from the negative ideal solution. It accommodates fuzzy data, providing a more realistic representation of decision-making environments.

The FAHP findings revealed that technological features are more crucial for the oil industry than organizational, people, or industrial aspects. The most significant element among technological characteristics is diffusion. The best firms for technology transfer were also ranked using Fuzzy TOPSIS. These results offer insightful information to help organizations improve their technology transfer strategies.

Key Takeaways and Strategic Implications

The outcomes emphasize the significance of technological capabilities in fostering successful technology transfer, especially diffusion. The study's use of fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS offers a methodical framework for evaluating and ranking companies based on their capacity to adopt new technologies. Organizations can improve their technology transfer procedures and maintain a competitive advantage in the global market by implementing these techniques and concentrating on crucial success factors. The oil pipeline and telecommunications company, national gas company, and oil product distribution company are all highlighted as having excellent technology transfer methods and should be prioritized. These outcomes also emphasize the significance of constant improvement and strategic alignment in the adoption of technology.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1504/ijise.2018.090447, Alternate LINK

Title: Ranking Of Companies Regarding The Effective Factors On Technology Transfer Using Fahp And Fuzzy Topsis Techniques

Subject: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Journal: International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering

Publisher: Inderscience Publishers

Authors: Shima Arabzadeh

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is technology transfer, and why is it important for businesses?

Technology transfer involves adopting technologies developed outside of an organization to enhance its competitive edge. It is complex, involving identifying suitable technologies and integrating them into existing operations. Factors influencing success include personnel expertise, organizational structure, technological compatibility, and industry dynamics. Companies can improve their technology transfer procedures and maintain a competitive advantage in the global market by implementing these techniques and concentrating on crucial success factors.

What are Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and how are they used in technology transfer evaluation?

Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) are analytical techniques used to rank companies based on their effectiveness in technology transfer. FAHP employs fuzzy logic to handle the imprecision in human judgments, allowing for pairwise comparisons to derive weights. Fuzzy TOPSIS ranks alternatives based on their proximity to the ideal solution, accommodating fuzzy data for realistic decision-making. FAHP is used to weigh and rank the factors, while fuzzy TOPSIS is employed to score the firms.

According to the study findings, which factors are most crucial for successful technology transfer in the oil industry?

In the oil industry study, technological features were found to be more critical for successful technology transfer than organizational, people, or industrial aspects. Among technological characteristics, diffusion was the most significant element. By focusing on diffusion, companies can enhance their ability to spread and implement new technologies effectively throughout their operations, maximizing the benefits of technology transfer. The oil pipeline and telecommunications company, national gas company, and oil product distribution company are all highlighted as having excellent technology transfer methods and should be prioritized.

How were Fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS implemented in the study to evaluate technology transfer effectiveness?

The study used questionnaires where industry specialists rated the relevance of different model components. Fuzzy logic was then applied to handle the ambiguity in expert opinions. FAHP prioritized the variables, and fuzzy TOPSIS ranked the businesses according to their performance. This approach allows for a more nuanced and accurate evaluation of companies' technology transfer capabilities by accounting for inherent uncertainties and subjective judgments.

What are the strategic implications of using Fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS in technology transfer, and why is strategic alignment important?

Utilizing Fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS offers a structured approach to assess and rank firms based on their technology adoption capabilities. By implementing these methods and prioritizing key success determinants, organizations can refine their technology transfer processes and sustain a competitive advantage in the global arena. Continuous enhancement and strategic alignment are crucial in technology adoption for enduring success. Ignoring strategic alignment can lead to misalignment between technology investments and business goals, resulting in wasted resources and missed opportunities.