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L’INeGAL DeVELOPPEMENT INDUSTRIEL DE LA CHINE : CAPACITeS D’INNOVATION ET COEXISTENCE DE DIFFeRENTS MODES D’APPRENTISSAGE TECHNOLOGIQUE

Author

Listed:
  • Wei ZHAO

    (Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Saint-Etienne)

  • Rigas ARVANITIS

    (Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement)

Abstract

Based on the example of the automobile and electronics sector in China, the article examines the technological learning of companies in China and the way it is influenced by industrial policy. Companies have consolidated their production capacity and technological learning but are rarely in the position to develop an innovation capability. The article shows the diversity of enterprises and identifies two opposing modes of development, either based on technological transfers of foreign technologies mainly through state-owned enterprises, or based on assimilation and learning of technologies acquired through the clients in private or foreign-owned companies or other new enterprises, of a rather small size. The latter are less favoured by official policies and have difficulties in obtaining the advantages that may have been available through the national innovation system (training, higher education, research, technical centres, funding). This separation of the innovation system promoted by the government and the industrial system that was created through technological learning is, in the authors’ opinion, the main reason for a low innovation capability of the Chinese industry. The co-existence of these two different modes is a characteristic feature of China and explains why China does not follow the “imitation to innovation” path experiences by South Korea and Japan.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei ZHAO & Rigas ARVANITIS, 2008. "L’INeGAL DeVELOPPEMENT INDUSTRIEL DE LA CHINE : CAPACITeS D’INNOVATION ET COEXISTENCE DE DIFFeRENTS MODES D’APPRENTISSAGE TECHNOLOGIQUE," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 28, pages 61-85.
    • Handle: RePEc:tou:journl:v:28:y:2008:p:61-85
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shulin Gu & Bengt-Åke Lundvall, 2006. "China's Innovation System and the Move Toward Harmonious Growth and Endogenous Innovation," DRUID Working Papers 06-07, DRUID, Copenhagen Business School, Department of Industrial Economics and Strategy/Aalborg University, Department of Business Studies.
    2. Michael Hobday, 1995. "Innovation In East Asia," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 226.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    CHINE; DeVELOPPEMENT INDUSTRIEL; APPRENTISSAGE TECHNOLOGIQUE; ENTREPRISES; TRANSFERTS DE TECHNOLOGIE; POLITIQUE INDUSTRIELLE; SYSTeME NATIONAL D?INNOVATION;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology
    • O25 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Industrial Policy
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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