Technology transfer in supply chains: an integrated conceptual framework

Purpose Although technology transfer is crucial for enhancing the competitiveness of supply chains, existing research has not yet developed a systematic analytical framework. The purpose of this paper is to understand the current status of technology transfer in supply chains and to develop a conceptual framework that systematically analyzes the mechanisms of technology transfer. Design/methodology/approach This paper conducts a systematic review of 101 high-quality academic papers published between 2005 and 2025, sourced from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Findings Building on the literature review, we construct a conceptual model that integrates four key themes of technology transfer in supply chains: types of technology transfer, antecedents, outcomes and barriers. Based on transaction cost theory and dynamic capabilities theory, this paper proposes a set of propositions that captures the relationship between these factors and technology transfer in supply chains. Subsequently, this study uses Build Your Dreams (BYD), a leading automotive company, and Huawei, a global technology giant, as case examples to validate the driving factors and mechanisms of technology transfer in supply chains, thereby illustrating the proposed conceptual framework. Originality/value This is the first paper to comprehensively integrate the four dimensions of types of technology transfer, antecedents, outcomes and barriers in the supply chain domain and construct a complete conceptual framework. This conceptual framework provides a systematic knowledge structure and identifies future research directions, thereby contributing to both the research and practice of technology transfer in supply chains.