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Industrial catch-up in China: a sectoral systems of innovation perspective

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Listed:
  • Keun Lee
  • Xudong Gao
  • Xibao Li

Abstract

This study analyses the industrial catch-up in four sectors in China. The technological regime of sectors affects the chance for latecomers to catch up, but the final outcomes also depend on the actions of governments and firms. A successful catch-up requires the growth of indigenous firms rather than dependence on foreign direct investment. The government has an important role, but different forms of intervention across sectors must be identified. For firms, adopting a path-following strategy does not bring ultimate success, whereas leapfrogging is often required. Any uniqueness in the catch-up pattern of China can be attributed to its large size leading to bargaining power in technology transfer. The Chinese markets with several segments also help to nurture indigenous firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Keun Lee & Xudong Gao & Xibao Li, 2017. "Industrial catch-up in China: a sectoral systems of innovation perspective," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 10(1), pages 59-76.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:cjrecs:v:10:y:2017:i:1:p:59-76.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaobai Shen, 1999. "The Chinese Road to High Technology," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-1-4039-0550-5.
    2. Keun Lee & Sunil Mani & Qing Mu, 2012. "Explaining Divergent Stories of Catch-up in the Telecommunication Equipment Industry in Brazil, China, India and Korea," Chapters, in: Franco Malerba & Richard R. Nelson (ed.), Economic Development as a Learning Process, chapter 2, Edward Elgar Publishing.
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    7. Sanjaya Lall, 2000. "The Technological Structure and Performance of Developing Country Manufactured Exports, 1985-98," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(3), pages 337-369.
    8. Alice H. Amsden & Wan-wen Chu, 2003. "Beyond Late Development: Taiwan's Upgrading Policies," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262011980, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Grimes, Seamus & Du, Debin, 2022. "China's emerging role in the global semiconductor value chain," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(2).
    2. Li, Daitian & Capone, Gianluca & Malerba, Franco, 2019. "The long march to catch-up: A history-friendly model of China’s mobile communications industry," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(3), pages 649-664.
    3. Long Wang & Qifeng Zhao & Wenyin Chen, 2023. "Political Promotion and Manufacturing Firm Productivity: Evidence from Chinese Firms," Review of Economic Assessment, Anser Press, vol. 2(2), pages 1-16, August.
    4. Giorgio Prodi & Francesco Nicolli & Federico Frattini, 2020. "Embeddedness and local patterns of innovation: evidence from Chinese prefectural cities," Economic Complexity and Evolution, in: Andreas Pyka & Keun Lee (ed.), Innovation, Catch-up and Sustainable Development, pages 283-307, Springer.
    5. Judith Clifton & Amy Glasmeier & Alpen Sheth, 2017. "Revisiting development theory: Alice H. Amsden’s impact on the field," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 10(1), pages 3-14.

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