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From Imitation to Innovation: Where Is all that Chinese R&D Going?

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  • Michael König
  • Zheng Michael Song
  • Kjetil Storesletten
  • Fabrizio Zilibotti

Abstract

We construct an endogenous growth model with random interactions where firms are subject to distortions. The TFP distribution evolves endogenously as firms seek to upgrade their technology over time either by innovating or by imitating other firms. We use the model to quantify the effects of misallocation on TFP growth in emerging economies. We structurally estimate the stationary state of the dynamic model targeting moments of the empirical distribution of R&D and TFP growth in China during the period 2007–12. The estimated model fits the Chinese data well. We compare the estimates with those obtained using data for Taiwan and perform counterfactuals to study the effect of alternative policies. R&D misallocation has a large effect on TFP growth.

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  • Michael König & Zheng Michael Song & Kjetil Storesletten & Fabrizio Zilibotti, 2020. "From Imitation to Innovation: Where Is all that Chinese R&D Going?," NBER Working Papers 27404, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:27404
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    Cited by:

    1. Jess Benhabib & Jesse Perla & Christopher Tonetti, 2021. "Reconciling Models of Diffusion and Innovation: A Theory of the Productivity Distribution and Technology Frontier," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 89(5), pages 2261-2301, September.
    2. Zhang, Yiran, 2021. "Quantitative Assessment on Frictions in Technology Market," MPRA Paper 109470, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Gong, Yundan & Hanley, Aoife, 2021. "Exports and new products in China - A generalized propensity score approach with firm-to-firm spillovers," KCG Working Papers 24, Kiel Centre for Globalization (KCG).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L16 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Industrial Organization and Macroeconomics; Macroeconomic Industrial Structure
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East

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