Appropriate Technology in a Globalizing World

This article identifies different concepts of ‘appropriate technology’ and the strategies they imply. It is observed that while the original neoclassical strategy of adopting labour-intensive alternatives for medium- and large-scale production in developing countries has fallen out of favour, for small-scale developments, the ‘intermediate technology’ approach is recognized as valid for tackling the consequences of dualistic development. The accepted strategy for medium- and large-scale industry in less developed countries (LDCs) is now technological capability building based on technology transfer with the aim of achieving competitiveness in international markets. Finally, it is noted that subject to the rapid pace of globalization, developing countries are increasingly finding the task of catching-up both daunting and urgent.