Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Nour, Samia
Author-Email: nour@merit.unu.edu
Author-Workplace-Name: UNU-MERIT, Maastricht University, and Khartoum University
Title: Assessment of skill and technology indicators at the macro-micro levels in Sudan
Abstract: In this paper we examine skill and technology indicators at the macro 
	 and micro levels in Sudan. Different from the Sudanese literature, a 
	 novel element in our analysis is that we use new primary data from the 
	 macro and firm surveys and we provide a new contribution and fill the 
	 gap in the Sudanese literature by examining five hypotheses on the 
	 causes and consequences of low skill and technology indicators at the 
	 macro and micro levels in Sudan. We verify our first hypothesis that the 
	 interaction between the deficient educational system -caused by low 
	 quality of education- and the high share of unskilled workers leads to 
	 poor provision of training; low skill levels; skills mismatch; low 
	 transfer of knowledge/external schooling effect; weak technology 
	 indicators and dependence on foreign technologies at the micro level. We 
	 confirm our second hypothesis that the poor local technology 
	 indicators/indigenous capability to build the local technology and heavy 
	 dependence on foreign technology can be attributed to lack of R&D 
	 activities/efforts, due to a lack of funding, low skill levels, weak 
	 linkages, lack of networks systems and collaboration between 
	 universities and industry/firms, low transfer of knowledge and a lack of 
	 entrepreneur perspective. We support our third hypothesis that the 
	 transfer of knowledge/external schooling effects is successful at the 
	 micro level but unsuccessful at the macro level due to low educational 
	 qualifications and deficient educational and training systems. We 
	 confirm our fourth hypothesis that skill and technology indicators are 
	 significantly determined by firm size and industry. We support our fifth 
	 hypothesis concerning the consistency of upskilling plans at the 
	 macro-micro levels. Finally, one advantage and interesting element in 
	 our analysis is that we provide a new contribution to the Sudanese 
	 literature, since we explain the causes, consequences and interaction 
	 between the low skill and technology indicators and the transfer of 
	 knowledge. We recommend further efforts to be made to improve skill and 
	 technology indicators and transfer of knowledge at the macro and micro 
	 levels which are all essential for economic growth and development in 
	 Sudan.
Classification-JEL: J24, L25, O12, O15, O30
Keywords: Skill, technology, firm size, industry, Sudan
Series: UNU-MERIT Working Papers
Creation-Date: 2011
Number: 031
File-URL: http://www.merit.unu.edu/publications/wppdf/2011/wp2011-031.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 275 Kb
Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2011031