Technology transfer for sustainable development : Environmentalism and entrepreneurship in Hong Kong

Proactive efforts are increasingly advocated to conserve scarce resources, prevent future deterioration of our natural environment and sustain economic development. The progress towards, and prospects for, such sustainable development in Hong Kong were recently investigated. The long‐standing role of the territory as an international gateway and a development model for the People’s Republic of China magnifies the significance of this research. Although business activities and consumer attitudes in Hong Kong indicate that economic issues still dominate ecological concerns, support was found for a technology transfer theory of environmentalism. The socio‐economic psychology of Hong Kong favours market incentives rather than command‐and‐ control policies. Entrepreneurial incentives, information to raise public awareness and effective environmental technology transfer can be the foundation of a strategic environmental management effort across Greater China.