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Double-edged effects of the technology gap and technology spillovers: Evidence from the Chinese industrial sector

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  • Lai, Mingyong
  • Wang, Hua
  • Zhu, Shujin

Abstract

This paper proposes a new insight that the technology gap plays double-edged roles in the technology spillovers of foreign direct investment (FDI) through two channels, technology choice set and technology absorptive capability. Applying a multiple-threshold model, we examine the non-linear relationship between the technology gap and technology spillovers based on the provincial panel data of the Chinese industrial sector during 1993-2006. The empirical results support the hypothesis of two thresholds, which are 0.3071 and 0.5214 in terms of the technology gap respectively. The estimated thresholds indicate the sufficient absorptive capability is the premise for FDI technology spillovers. Moreover, it implies the marginal decrease of FDI technology spillover effects in the long run.

Suggested Citation

  • Lai, Mingyong & Wang, Hua & Zhu, Shujin, 2009. "Double-edged effects of the technology gap and technology spillovers: Evidence from the Chinese industrial sector," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(3), pages 414-424, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:20:y:2009:i:3:p:414-424
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    6. Bin Ni & Hayato Kato, 2020. "Do vertical spillovers differ by investors’ productivity? Theory and evidence from Vietnam," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(3), pages 1046-1072, August.
    7. Bin Ni & Hayato Kato, 2017. "Productivity Gaps and Vertical Technology Spillovers from Foreign Direct Investment: Evidence from Vietnam," Keio-IES Discussion Paper Series 2017-022, Institute for Economics Studies, Keio University.
    8. Nimisha Pandey & Heleen de Coninck & Ambuj D Sagar, 2022. "Beyond technology transfer: Innovation cooperation to advance sustainable development in developing countries," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 11(2), March.
    9. Zhou Wei & Adel Ben Youssef, 2012. "The productivity impact of international technology transfer in China: Empirical investigation on Chinese regions," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 32(2), pages 1590-1603.
    10. Zhang, Cheng & Guo, Bingnan & Wang, Jianke, 2014. "The different impacts of home countries characteristics in FDI on Chinese spillover effects: Based on one-stage SFA," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 572-580.
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    12. Li, Cunfang & Li, Danping & Dong, Mei, 2019. "The spillage effect of the transfer behavior of coal resource-exhausted enterprises and science and technology projects," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 385-396.

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