Title: Research-based vs. production-based innovation in China: regional dimension analysis

Authors: Xiangdong Chen

Addresses: School of Economics & Management, Beijing University of Aeronautics, & Astronautics, Beijing, 100083, P.R. China

Abstract: This paper deals with the regional dimension of innovation in the context of the Chinese economy. The paper provides a special research innovation matrix framework namely research-based innovation vs. production-based innovation, and knowledge creation vs. knowledge learning, to include typical innovation activities in developing countries such as China. An empirical study on the geographical dimension of innovation in China is conducted by applying the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method to 14 innovation measures selected under the research framework, based on statistical data covering 31 sample regions in China. The study reveals that these two innovation settings in China are geographically differentiated and in most cases are significantly distinguished. By further investigating typical external influencing factors, the study concludes that while research-based innovation is largely related to governmental supporting policy, production-based innovation is primarily influenced by Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the flows and development of a market mechanism.

Keywords: production-based knowledge; research-based innovation; regional dimension of innovation; innovation in China; geographical concentration of innovation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2002.000479

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2002 Vol.2 No.2/3, pp.146-163

Published online: 16 Jul 2003 *

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