The transfer of technologies and the appropriation of management tools

In order to discuss the role which cultural phenomena are reputed to play in technology transfers, and also being accepted by companies which have not produced the technology, we must be sure what we mean by this concept and not attribute it to a so-called cultural dimension of behaviour which is essentially brought about by organisational factors. This is one of the tasks which anthropotechnology, a new discipline which is at the crossroads of both human and organisational sciences, has set itself. The contribution of ergonomics to this approach is illustrated by thesis work carried out both in Africa and France, and which follows on the tradition of research conducted by Professor Alain Wisner.