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Knowledge spillovers, absorptive capacity and total factor productivity in China’s manufacturing firms

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  • Hailin Liao
  • Xiaohui Liu
  • Chengang Wang

Abstract

Applying the stochastic frontier framework, this study explores the diffusion and absorption of technological knowledge in China’s manufacturing firms, based on a panel of more than 10,000 local and foreign-invested firms over the period 1998--2001. Our empirical approach allows us to distinguish between technological progress (TP) and technical efficiency (TE) in analysing whether R&D, exports and the presence of foreign direct investment simultaneously enhance TP through knowledge spillovers in a single framework and whether different types of domestic absorptive capacity moderate external knowledge spillovers in relation to TE. The results show that there are positive inter-industry productivity spillovers from R&D and foreign presence, whereas evidence of intra-industry productivity spillovers from FDI to Chinese firms is less robust. We find evidence that absorptive capacity is one of the key determinants to quantitatively explain intra-industry differences in productivity of local Chinese firms. The findings have important policy implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Hailin Liao & Xiaohui Liu & Chengang Wang, 2012. "Knowledge spillovers, absorptive capacity and total factor productivity in China’s manufacturing firms," International Review of Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(4), pages 533-547, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:irapec:v:26:y:2012:i:4:p:533-547
    DOI: 10.1080/02692171.2011.619970
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    Cited by:

    1. Chang Xu & Jianbing Guo & Baodong Cheng & Yu Liu, 2019. "Exports, Misallocation, and Total Factor Productivity of Furniture Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-14, September.
    2. Sai Ding & Alessandra Guariglia & Richard Harris, 2016. "The determinants of productivity in Chinese large and medium-sized industrial firms, 1998–2007," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 45(2), pages 131-155, April.
    3. Adetutu, Morakinyo O. & Ajayi, Victor, 2020. "The impact of domestic and foreign R&D on agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    4. Danquah, Michael, 2018. "Technology transfer, adoption of technology and the efficiency of nations: Empirical evidence from sub Saharan Africa," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 175-182.
    5. Vicente German-Soto & Luis Gutiérrez Flores, 2015. "A Standardized Coefficients Model to Analyze the Regional Patents Activity: Evidence from the Mexican States," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 6(1), pages 72-89, March.
    6. Bhattacharya, Mita & Okafor, Luke Emeka & Pradeep, V., 2021. "International firm activities, R&D, and productivity: Evidence from Indian manufacturing firms," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 1-13.
    7. Katiuscia Vaccarini, 2014. "Psychic distance and FDI: the case of China," Working Papers 1403, c.MET-05 - Centro Interuniversitario di Economia Applicata alle Politiche per L'industria, lo Sviluppo locale e l'Internazionalizzazione.
    8. Hien T. N. Huynh & Phuong V. Nguyen & Hoa D. X. Trieu & Khoa T. Tran, 2021. "Productivity Spillover from FDI to Domestic Firms across Six Regions in Vietnam," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(1), pages 59-75, January.
    9. VPhuong V. Nguyen, Khoa T. Tran, Nga Thuy Thanh Le and Hoa Doan Xuan Trieu, 2020. "Examining FDI Spillover Effects on Productivity Growth: Firm-Level Evidence from Vietnam," Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang Unviersity, Department of Economics, vol. 45(1), pages 97-121, March.
    10. Zuoxiang Zhao, 2017. "Measurement of production efficiency and environmental efficiency in China’s province-level: a by-production approach," Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, Springer;Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - SEEPS, vol. 19(4), pages 735-759, October.
    11. Nair, Smitha R. & Demirbag, Mehmet & Mellahi, Kamel, 2016. "Reverse knowledge transfer in emerging market multinationals: The Indian context," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(1), pages 152-164.

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