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Knowledge sourcing and firm performance in an industrializing economy: the case of Taiwan (1992–2003)

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  • Chia-Lin Chang
  • Stéphane Robin

Abstract

We examine the impact of R&D and technology imports on firm performance in Taiwan's manufacturing industry in a policy context of industrial upgrading. To do so, we estimate a Translog production function on two panels (covering 1992-1995 and 1997-2003), using stochastic frontier models. We find that the effects of both knowledge inputs become significant in a larger number of industries in the second panel. These results suggest that the policies encouraging innovation implemented from 1991 onwards paid off in the second half of the 1990s, with innovation driving firm sales. In traditional industries, the effect of innovation can be interpreted as an effort to catch up with the global technology frontier. In the electronics and high-technology industries, it rather testifies of the emergence of a new domain of specialization for Taiwan-which was largely enabled by the aforementioned innovation policies.
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  • Chia-Lin Chang & Stéphane Robin, 2012. "Knowledge sourcing and firm performance in an industrializing economy: the case of Taiwan (1992–2003)," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 42(3), pages 947-986, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:empeco:v:42:y:2012:i:3:p:947-986
    DOI: 10.1007/s00181-011-0449-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Chia-Lin Chang & Michael McAleer & Ju-Ting Tang, 2018. "Joint and Cross-Border Patents as Proxies for International Technology Diffusion," International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 15(02), pages 1-29, April.
    2. Chia-Lin Chang & Michael McAleer & Ju-Ting Tang, "undated". "International Technology Diffusion of Joint and Cross-border Patents (Revised version)," Documentos de Trabajo del ICAE 2015-06, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Instituto Complutense de Análisis Económico, revised May 2015.
    3. Chia-Lin Chang & Michael McAleer & Ju-Ting Tang, 2013. "International Technology Diffusion of Joint and Cross-border Patents," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 13-098/III, Tinbergen Institute.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Manufacturing industries; Newly industrialized countries; Technology imports; Stochastic frontier estimation; L25; L60; O33;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • L60 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - General

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