Abstract

Several less industrialized countries lack prioritization in terms of safety and

security in operations. This can, in the worst-case scenario, result in major
accidents or disasters. Technology transfer between countries is seen as an
opportunity to construct more robust systems. However, technology transfer is a
complex task, and it is not possible to transfer the whole “technology package”.
This study is based on the idea that transfer of technologies from industrialized
countries can be used as a tool to create robust risk governance systems in
developing countries. Norway has over forty years of experience in the petroleum
industry, with well-functioning systems and an emphasis on safety. The Norwegian
Government has initiated a program aiming to share this experience with developing
countries. Uganda is used as case for this study, as they are one of the receivers
of the program, and soon starting petroleum production. The research problem is
“What promote/hamper the transfer of risk governance systems from the Norwegian
petroleum sector to Uganda?”
Technology transfer is presented through the iceberg model, illustrating the
difficulties with transferring technology due to actors’ understandings and deeply
integrated underlying conditions. Following, the risk governance system in its
social construction is portrayed. These theories make the basis for the
interpretation of the collected data.
The data is gathered based on a qualitative method. The main data is collected
through interviews with key actors involved in the cooperation and actors in the
Ugandan petroleum industry. A five-week fieldwork was conducted in Uganda,
including three days of observation in the oil fields. Literature study, social
media and informal talks were conducted to gain a more in-depth understanding.
In order to identify the parameters hampering or promoting the transfer, the data
is analyzed through three research questions. These questions emphasize the actors
focus areas within transfer of risk governance systems from Norway to Uganda.
Furthermore, a study on the impact the present capacity can have on implementation
of new technology, and in what way trust is present in the Ugandan risk governance
system.
Through this study, four central parameters are found to promote and/or hamper the
transfer of risk governance systems. The findings are not divided into “hamper” and
“promotes” as the outcomes are dependent on the conditions, and could be both
hampering and promoting the transfer.
The promoting and/or hampering parameters found are “interplay” and
“characteristics” among the involved actors in the transfer process, “time” and
“preconditions” in the system. The interplay among involved actors highlights the
importance of understanding the different actors involved, their background and
local context. It is important with inclusion and involvement between and within
all levels. Characteristics of the actors involved are reflected through
motivation, willingness and knowledge and will affect the transfer process. Time
prioritized to increase capacity in the system promotes the transfer process, if
prioritized and used correctly, in accordance to the “receivers” local context. The
preconditions present in the receiving country will shape how the elements need to
be contextualized to their local context. The preconditions can challenge the
capacity if there is a lack of know-why understanding of these preconditions and
the transferred elements.