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Compact organizational space and technological catch-up: Comparison of China's three leading automotive groups

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  • Nam, Kyung-Min

Abstract

This study examines why compact organizational space may matter for technological catch-up, through a comparison of China's leading automotive groups. The comparative analysis demonstrates that the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) surpasses its two local rivals in terms of technological capabilities partly because the firm has managed its organizational space in close connection with intensive growth strategies at the group level. SAIC has greatly benefited from compact organizational space in building technological capabilities, as it encourages the mobilization and integration of internal resources and promotes group-wide synergy for an effective internalization of acquired assets.

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  • Nam, Kyung-Min, 2015. "Compact organizational space and technological catch-up: Comparison of China's three leading automotive groups," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 258-272.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:44:y:2015:i:1:p:258-272
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2014.08.002
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuzhe Miao & Jaeyong Song & Keun Lee & Chuyue Jin, 2018. "Technological catch-up by east Asian firms: Trends, issues, and future research agenda," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 35(3), pages 639-669, September.
    2. Jiang Wei & Ding Wang & Yang Liu, 2018. "Towards an asymmetry-based view of Chinese firms’ technological catch-up," Frontiers of Business Research in China, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Guo, Yanting & Zheng, Gang, 2019. "How do firms upgrade capabilities for systemic catch-up in the open innovation context? A multiple-case study of three leading home appliance companies in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 36-48.
    4. Karabag, Solmaz Filiz, 2019. "Factors impacting firm failure and technological development: A study of three emerging-economy firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 462-474.
    5. Weinfurtner, Tania & Seidl, David, 2019. "Towards a spatial perspective: An integrative review of research on organisational space," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 35(2).
    6. Li, Yanfei & Ji, Qiang & Zhang, Dayong, 2020. "Technological catching up and innovation policies in China: What is behind this largely successful story?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    7. Krzywdzinski, Martin & Lechowski, Grzegorz & Jürgens, Ulrich, 2018. "L’inéluctable évolution des modèles productifs chez les constructeurs automobiles chinois et indiens," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 12, pages 1-20.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Chinese auto industry; Business groups; Organizational learning; Proximity; Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation; Technological capability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L24 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Contracting Out; Joint Ventures
    • L52 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Industrial Policy; Sectoral Planning Methods
    • L62 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Automobiles; Other Transportation Equipment; Related Parts and Equipment
    • N65 - Economic History - - Manufacturing and Construction - - - Asia including Middle East
    • O25 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Industrial Policy

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