Technology transfer vs. technological learning: It‐infrastructure and health care in developing countries

Abstract

The notion of technological ‘transfer’ rests on a conception of technology as artifacts. This, as many have argued, neglects the crucial aspects of the social and cultural context of use. Technology has to be learnt rather than transferred. Based on this, we attempt to analyze the conditions and possibilities for technological learning about IT‐infrastructure in developing countries. In so doing, we distinguish between local, contextual learning and institutional or technological infrastructure for learning. These processes of learning need to take place in areas sheltered from international competition. Examples from Mongolia and South African health care are used to illustrate our points.