This thesis concerns the transfer of firearms technology from the Dutch East India Company to Siam at the end of the seventeenth century. It shows that the transfer of both weapons and of experts...Show moreThis thesis concerns the transfer of firearms technology from the Dutch East India Company to Siam at the end of the seventeenth century. It shows that the transfer of both weapons and of experts with skills related to firearms were organised through diplomatic exchange and gift giving. Changes in this transfer were mainly shaped by the Siamese, although they were unable to force the Dutch to fulfill all their wishes.Show less
This thesis answers the following research question: to what extent do the Chinese government and Chinese companies contribute to the development of Pakistan’s domestic wind energy industry through...Show moreThis thesis answers the following research question: to what extent do the Chinese government and Chinese companies contribute to the development of Pakistan’s domestic wind energy industry through technology transfer (TT)? In order to assess this question, I use China as a benchmark for successful TT in the wind industry. The main finding is that there is evidence that the Chinese government and Chinese companies contribute to the development of Pakistan’s wind energy industry through TT. The Chinese government does so through its involvement in several Pakistani knowledge institutions. As for Chinese companies, they go to great lengths to employ and train Pakistani engineers, and one Chinese company even works together with a Pakistani engineering company. That being said, this thesis also finds that Chinese companies are outcompeting Pakistani companies. This prevents Pakistani companies from gaining valuable learning experiences and may also dissuade them from investing in wind-related technologies. However, this is not some scheme by the Chinese government to hollow out a fledgling Pakistani industry. Instead, it is a result of ineffective policies by the Pakistani government itself. This thesis contains three important takeaways. First, it shows that, when it comes to providing training opportunities for locals in Pakistan, Chinese companies follow their government’s official objectives. Second, it underlines earlier findings by Schneider et al. (2021, 25) by showing that local actors play a crucial role in determining the outcomes of Chinese foreign economic activities. Chinese actors cannot single-handedly ensure TT in their foreign operations; the interactive nature of TT also demands strenuous efforts by companies and government institutions in the receiving countries. Third, by using China as a benchmark, this thesis also shows us that—when it comes to developing a domestic wind energy industry—a highly coordinated, state-led approach like the one adopted by China is more effective than Pakistan’s market-driven approach.Show less
Just as the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement recognizes the fact that developing countries have fewer capabilities to combat climate change and should thus receive assistance from the developed...Show moreJust as the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement recognizes the fact that developing countries have fewer capabilities to combat climate change and should thus receive assistance from the developed world. Through the transfer of technology and monetary aid, developed countries are obliged to help developing countries in achieving sustainable growth. This structure of North-South cooperation was translated into the Clean Development Mechanism in the Kyoto Protocol. My thesis analyzes the implementation of this mechanism in Colombia and Peru and answers whether its goals of emission reduction, sustainable development and technology transfer have been achieved. Through a case study of two Clean Development Mechanism projects this dissertation shows the success of current climate change mitigation mechanisms in the context of two Latin American countries. Finally, I will study the equivalent of the “Clean Development Mechanism” in the Paris Agreement to answer whether problems encountered in the Clean Development Mechanism have been addressed in the Paris Agreement.Show less
