Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to research the trade in knowledge as a commodity between advanced nations and less developed ones. Design/methodology/approach: Investigates knowledge transfer between nations and examines cultural factors and their effect on this exchange. Findings: Finds that successful adoption of traded material calls for careful evaluation, investment in research, monitoring and the scrutiny of experience. Some movement is likely to be needed in deeper underlying assumptions about learning and teaching in the receiving countries. Beyond this, there will be a need for modifications in the system and institutions of education especially at higher levels. The indigenisation of overseas material thus requires some awareness of economic, political, social and cultural conditions, locally as well as in the providing countries. There is thus ample scope for higher degree research, which need not be highly expensive. It would, however, require thorough theoretical awareness and methodological sophistication. Originality/value: Provides useful insight into the problems of trade in knowledge between developed and developing nations.