The evolution of high-technology in China after 1978: Towards technological entrepreneurship

The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of China’s science and technology, their related institutions and use in the business world since the reforms started in 1978. Special attention will be given to the re-integration of high-technology into the private sector and the accompanying new type of organization: the New Technology Enterprises (NTEs) – or technological entrepreneurs – in the Development Zones. In an historical analysis we identify several phases of institutional reforms and international technology transfer. The present state of Science & Technology is analysed in terms of information infrastructure, educational system and innovative capability. The analysis shows the still underdeveloped parts of a science and technology supporting environment. The analysis discusses the basic features of the high-technology industry and identifies the information and communication technology (ICT) sector as the most important sector of the industry. This sector is growing fast none the least due to the attention the reform policy has paid to its development since 1978. Specifically the role of NTEs – who are pre-dominantly ICT oriented – in Development Zones is interesting and important. We argue that the NTEs play a large role in the development of private high-technology. We propose a system for technological entrepreneurship and identify computer hardware and software as key sectors for NTEs and high-technology development

Developing Innovative Competences in an Emerging Business System: New Private Enterprises in Hangzhou’s Software Industry

What kind of innovative competences are credibly developed by private entrepreneurs in China’s transition economy? On the basis of original empirical fieldwork in 45 software enterprises in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, we propose a working theory of innovative competence development in an emerging private sector. Combining resource-based and institutional perspectives we argue that Chinese private enterprises in Hangzhou were able to develop unique innovative competences to overcome resource constraints and manage technical - and market risks while respecting the location and sector-specific constraints. The findings suggest that private software enterprises in Hangzhou developed five innovative competences: organizational integration, financial commitment, external knowledge transformation, reputation development and strategic flexibility. The analysis further allows to propose three implications: 1) These five competences form a ‘configuration’ or coherent set of competences in this particular institutional setting; 2) Technological – and institutional regimes shape the potential range of innovative competences firms credibly develop depending on the available resources of the firm; 3) Innovative competences can be functional equivalents of institutions in the absence of well-developed, mature formal institutions

Innovation in an Uncertain Institutional Environment: Private Software Entrepreneurs in Hangzhou, China

The thesis deals with innovation and entrepreneurship in China. Despite an institutional environment characterized by high levels of uncertainty, innovation thrives even in the technology-based sectors. The research asks for explanations how innovative capabilities are developed in such an adverse institutional environment. For analyzing the institutional environment the research relies on comparative institutional approaches while approaches from the capabilities and resource-based theories, innovation management and China studies are used for explaining the behaviour of firms. The thesis is based on 2 years of extensive field research in cooperation with 45 Chinese entrepreneurs and Zhejiang University in Hangzhou. The findings suggest that Chinese entrepreneurs develop particular innovative capabilities in response to particular technical, market and institutional opportunities and constraints. One of the key insights is that innovation, in a broad understanding, can take place in an environment with institutional uncertainty and limited formal protection of intellectual property rights. On the one hand, institutional uncertainty creates both restrictions and incentives for innovation, and, on the other hand, firms are able to develop specific innovative capabilities that manage sectoral constraints while fighting off institutional constraints

Advancing towards Minimally Invasive Surgical Treatment of Metacarpal Fractures

The hypothesis of this thesis is that a minimally invasive surgical technique is preferable in the treatment of metacarpal fractures in comparison with open reduction and internal fixatio