Technological learning in six firms in Southern China: success and limits of an industrialisation model

This article examines the creation of industrial enterprises and the basic models of firm-level technological learning behaviour of the last 20 years in China. Six case studies of technological learning and links to external sources of know-how from the South of China in the Pearl River Delta are examined. It is shown that the learning process that has been experienced in these enterprises is similar to that of other fast growing East Asian economies. Until now enterprises have been acquiring technology through external linkages with foreign clients that become their main providers of technology. A detailed account of the enterprises allows a typology of the external technological learning. It is claimed that the growth of the South China lies in this ‘external’ interactive technological learning, as in other East Asian economies.Asia; China; industrial development; technological learning; private enterprises; interactive learning; economic reform

Exploring the Innovation System of the Animation Industry: Case study of a Chinese Company

In the past 10 years, the animation industry has developed rapidly due to new technology and market expansion. Leading firms such as Disney are continuously seeking strategies to expand business towards products and service innovation, whereas Pixar and DreamWorks focus mainly on technology management. Driven by market and government policy, there is a blooming of the animation industry in China. However, most Chinese companies, in shortage of knowledge and experience, are unclear about innovation strategies. Thus, this paper aims to investigate the innovation system of China’s animation industry as a late comer. The literature is covered together with an industry review. To further explore the details, an in-depth case study into a Chinese company is conducted. This company has developed an open innovation system by interacting with industry, university and government; meanwhile, it is penetrating into the character business and service sector, seeking for sustainability. Findings indicate that a combination of internal knowledge management and open innovation is important; government plays a vital role at the early stage of forming the innovation system; innovation is a dynamic process with different configurations at each stage. Discussions are given to address the critical issues of the innovation system in the animation industry, followed by conclusions and recommendations for future research areas

Investigating the impact of networking capability on firm innovation performance:using the resource-action-performance framework

The author's final peer reviewed version can be found by following the URI link. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Purpose The experience of successful firms has proven that one of the most important ways to promote co-learning and create successful networked innovations is the proper application of inter-organizational knowledge mechanisms. This study aims to use a resource-action-performance framework to open the black box on the relationship between networking capability and innovation performance. The research population embraces companies in the Iranian automotive industry. Design/methodology/approach Due to the latent nature of the variables studied, the required data are collected through a web-based cross-sectional survey. First, the content validity of the measurement tool is evaluated by experts. Then, a pre-test is conducted to assess the reliability of the measurement tool. All data are gathered by the Iranian Vehicle Manufacturers Association (IVMA) and Iranian Auto Parts Manufacturers Association (IAPMA) samples. The power analysis method and G*Power software are used to determine the sample size. Moreover, SmartPLS 3 and IBM SPSS 25 software are used for data analysis of the conceptual model and relating hypotheses. Findings The results of this study indicated that the relationships between networking capability, inter-organizational knowledge mechanisms and inter-organizational learning result in a self-reinforcing loop, with a marked impact on firm innovation performance. Originality/value Since there is little understanding of the interdependencies of networking capability, inter-organizational knowledge mechanisms, co-learning and their effect on firm innovation performance, most previous research studies have focused on only one or two of the above-mentioned variables. Thus, their cumulative effect has not examined yet. Looking at inter-organizational relationships from a network perspective and knowledge-based view (KBV), and to consider the simultaneous effect of knowledge mechanisms and learning as intermediary actions alongside, to consider the performance effect of the capability-building process, are the main advantages of this research

How is Innovation fostered under different Institutional Setup: Comparing the Electronics Cluster in Shenzhen and Dongguan, China

The primary focus of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on how innovation is generated and fostered under different institutional setup. Two different institutional setups which evolve from planned economy to market economy in China during the transition, i.e. top-down and bottom-up institutions to promote industrial development, are discussed in the context of our study area, i.e. Dongguan and Shenzhen in Pearl River Delta, China. Drawing on the firm survey data collected in the electronics industry of Dongguan and Shenzhen, this paper explores the factors that foster the innovation activities respectively under these two different institutional setups. The results shows that the flexible institutions organized from bottom up targeting at attracting process trade, which is dominant in Dongguan, restricts the scope of interaction and learning related to innovation and would probably lock-in the city in low-end production activities if the existing institutional setup cannot be broken up. On the other hand, institutional setup favoring the agglomeration of knowledge-related and knowledge-intensive institutes and ex-ante strategic support organized from top down in Shenzhen economic special zone contributes to the reciprocal and systematic interaction between firms as well as knowledge institutions. Finally, policy implication is further discussed by comparing the territorial innovation system in Europe and America where innovation institutions are mature, concluding that the capacity of public and private institutions should be strengthened to form the stable systematic interaction to foster innovation in the long run.

A Knowledge-Based Innovation for High Technology Industries and Applying to Cross Strait Marketplaces

The study discusses after China and Taiwan has finally cleared all the hurdles to gaining World Trade Organization (WTO) membership, joining in November 2001. However, foreign investors in China are increasingly embroiled in disputes with Chinese companies due to innovation barriers. Besides, after China and Taiwan joint WTO, high tech industrial competition faces globalization and digitalization two big problems Therefore, this paper examines the notion that China’s and Taiwan’s entry into the WTO and their innovation reforms in line with globalization and digitalization have a significant impact on the entire system of knowledge-based innovation management. Firstly, the study reviews innovation through a knowledge-based theory lens in the innovation supporting processes to construct a research framework. Internally, the supporting innovation processes include knowledge and technology innovation, Managing & organizing innovation. Externally, the supporting innovation processes include inter-organization networks, innovation networks and eknowledge networks and cooperation innovation. Secondly, the study through case studies critically investigates the supporting processes of innovation management in China and Taiwan in the context of their WTO entry, and puts forward exploratory ideas that may assist in creating a blueprint for deepening China’s and Taiwan’s innovation reforms. Under knowledge based and digital economy, how to overcome barriers of knowledge based innovation over the cross-strait and global markets are the most key factors for firm’s survival. To answer these questions, in this paper, a more complete integrated innovation model and knowledge based innovation supply chain (KISC) for exploring and determining innovative supporting process in high tech industries and applying to cross strait (China and Taiwan) marketplace is presented. The results of the study will benefit not only the construction of knowledge based innovation framework, but also the business model transformation of competitive advantage

Effects of absorptive capacity, trust and information systems on product innovation

Purpose: This study aims to empirically investigate the mechanisms through which absorptive capacity (AC), trust and information systems jointly influence product innovation. Design/methodology/approach: This study proposes a research model to examine the mediating role of AC on the impacts of trust and information systems on product innovation and the moderating roles of trust and information systems on the relationship between AC and product innovation. The hypotheses are empirically tested using regression and bootstrapping methods and data collected from 276 manufacturing firms in China. Findings: This study finds that trust and information systems positively affect product innovation and the effects are fully mediated by AC. AC also significantly enhances product innovation and the effect is amplified by trust as well as information systems. In addition, the results show that trust and information systems improve AC both individually and interactively. Originality/value: The findings extend existing knowledge on the antecedents of AC and the contingent conditions under which a manufacturer’s AC is more effective than that of its rivals. The results also clarify the mechanisms through which trust and information systems improve product innovation. This study provides insights into the complex relationships among a manufacturer’s sociotechnical systems, knowledge management processes and new product development, and reveals how to design organisational systems to fully capitalise the value of AC on product innovation