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Regional technology gap and innovation efficiency trap in Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturing industry

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  • Hongbo Lai
  • Hao Shi
  • Yang Zhou

Abstract

Objective: There is a huge technology gap between regions in Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, which is the reality that must be faced. However, most of the available researches on innovation efficiency are based on the logic of a given technology level, ignoring the regional technological gap. This paper will stand from the perspective of technology gap and re-examine the innovation efficiency of pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in different regions of China and its impact on regional industrial competitiveness. Methods: We use the DEA-BCC input-oriented model to measure innovation efficiency of 28 provinces from the data of China's pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The threshold model is constructed, with technology level as the threshold variable, innovation efficiency as the main explanatory variable, and industrial competitiveness as the dependent variable. In the threshold model, 28 regions are divided into three technical groups, and further, the impact of innovation efficiency on industrial competitiveness in different groups is analyzed and compared. Results: According to the empirical research results, an U-shaped efficiency trap has been found in Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, and the areas with medium technical level are at the bottom of the trap. The improvement of innovation efficiency does not necessarily promote the improvement of regional industrial competitiveness. Only in high-level and low-level technology groups, innovation efficiency has effectively promoted the improvement of industrial competitiveness. In addition, the intensity of R&D investment has a similar impact on industrial competitiveness. Conclusions: The findings suggest that, regions in the efficiency trap should strive to seek opportunities for industrial transformation and focus on the industrial transformation of new technology, new industry and new opportunities, instead of blindly pursuing R&D investment intensity and superstitious innovation efficiency. So as to free up innovation resources for high-quality technological innovation in other regions. In addition, the Chinese government should make use of its public hospital system to normalize and expand the centralized drug procurement and eliminate the low-quality innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Hongbo Lai & Hao Shi & Yang Zhou, 2020. "Regional technology gap and innovation efficiency trap in Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturing industry," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(5), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0233093
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233093
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Ricardo F. Díaz & Blanca Sanchez‐Robles, 2025. "Efficiency and Super‐Efficiency in the CRO Industry, 2012–2021: A Two‐Stage Exploration," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 46(2), pages 810-831, March.
    3. Guimei Yang & Feng Liu & Putthiwat Singhdong, 2024. "Exploring the Impacts of Green Supply Chain Integration and Ambidextrous Green Innovation on the Financial Performance of China’s Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-23, July.
    4. Xueling Guan & Lijiang Chen & Qing Xia & Zhaohui Qin, 2022. "Innovation Efficiency of Chinese Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry from the Perspective of Innovation Ecosystem," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-16, October.
    5. Qiao Jian Min, 2024. "The Impact of Social Responsibility and Innovation Ecosystem of Chinese Pharmaceutical Enterprises on Innovation Performance," International Journal of Science and Business, IJSAB International, vol. 36(1), pages 84-99.
    6. Atta Mills, Ebenezer Fiifi Emire & Zeng, Kailin & Fangbiao, Liu & Fangyan, Li, 2021. "Modeling innovation efficiency, its micro-level drivers, and its impact on stock returns," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).

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