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Upgrading to lead firm position via international acquisition: learning from the global biomass power plant industry

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  • Ulrich Elmer Hansen
  • Niels Fold
  • Teis Hansen

Abstract

This article examines the case of a Chinese firm that has upgraded to lead firm position in the global biomass power plant industry mainly through acquisitions of technological frontier firms in Denmark. Sustaining the lead firm position was, however, challenged by difficulties in developing innovative capability. Drawing on the literature on (i) firm-level technological capability and (ii) knowledge transfer in international acquisitions, we explain the reasons for insufficient innovative capability building. Based on these empirical findings, we suggest maintaining the existing upgrading framework but applying it analytically in a more flexible manner that avoids linearity, hierarchy and segmentation while stressing the co-existence of and inter-relationships between the different types of upgrading.

Suggested Citation

  • Ulrich Elmer Hansen & Niels Fold & Teis Hansen, 2016. "Upgrading to lead firm position via international acquisition: learning from the global biomass power plant industry," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 16(1), pages 131-153.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:jecgeo:v:16:y:2016:i:1:p:131-153.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/jeg/lbu050
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    Cited by:

    1. Huasheng Zhu & Yue Ding, 2017. "Going Public and Industrial Upgrading of Traditional Clusters in Developing Countries: Rethinking the Dynamics of the ‘Jinjiang Model’ in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Serenella Caravella & Valeria Costantini & Francesco Crespi, 2021. "Mission-Oriented Policies and Technological Sovereignty: The Case of Climate Mitigation Technologies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-16, October.
    3. He, Shaowei & Khan, Zaheer & Shenkar, Oded, 2018. "Subsidiary capability upgrading under emerging market acquirers," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(2), pages 248-262.
    4. Alessia Amighini & Claudio Cozza & Elisa Giuliani & Roberta Rabellotti & Vittoria Scalera, 2015. "Multinational enterprises from emerging economies: what theories suggest, what evidence shows. A literature review," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 42(3), pages 343-370, September.
    5. Hansen, Ulrich Elmer & Lema, Rasmus, 2019. "The co-evolution of learning mechanisms and technological capabilities: Lessons from energy technologies in emerging economies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 241-257.
    6. Binz, Christian & Gosens, Jorrit & Hansen, Teis & Hansen, Ulrich Elmer, 2017. "Toward Technology-Sensitive Catching-Up Policies: Insights from Renewable Energy in China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 418-437.
    7. Monica Plechero & Cristina Chaminade, 2016. "Spatial distribution of innovation networks, technological competencies and degree of novelty in emerging economy firms," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(6), pages 1056-1078, June.
    8. Cozza, C. & Rabellotti, R. & Sanfilippo, M., 2015. "The impact of outward FDI on the performance of Chinese firms," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 42-57.
    9. Ludan Wu & Dylan Sutherland & John R. Anderson, . "Are emerging market MNEs more attracted towards better patent enforcement regimes when undertaking greenfield R&D-focused FDI?," UNCTAD Transnational Corporations Journal, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
    10. Ulrich Elmer Hansen & Padmasai Lakshmi Bhamidipati & Mathilde Brix Pedersen & Ivan Nygaard & Hope Nyambura Njoroge, 2023. "Linking business strategies with upgrading pathways in global value chains: Insights from the Kenyan solar market," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 41(2), March.
    11. Jianping Huang & Chinlon Lin & Yang Gao & Chun-liang Chen, 2021. "A Study of Lacquerware Industry’s Upgrading and Sustainability Strategies from the Perspective of GVCs—Using China Fuzhou Lacquerware Industry as Example," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-23, April.
    12. Alexandre Berthe & Pascal Grouiez, 2020. "Small Farm Upgrading in GVC: a Strategic Perspective," Working Papers halshs-02953123, HAL.

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