Title: Unveiling the structural dimensions of catch-up oriented innovation policy and its impact on enterprises' technological capabilities

Authors: Hongjun Geng; Guowei Dong; Chang Wang; Jingdong Li; Cuihong Zhang

Addresses: School of Public Affairs, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China ' School of Public Policy and Management, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China ' School of Business, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China ' Center of High-quality Development Research, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing, 100089, China ' School of International Business, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China

Abstract: The catch-up oriented innovation policy (CuOIP) represents a tailored application of mission-oriented innovation policies in latecomer countries. This study explores the structural dimensions of CuOIP and empirically examines its impact on enterprises' technological capabilities. Our findings reveal that CuOIP is a systematic policy encompassing five key types of policy instruments: entity cultivation, capacity building, market creation, platform construction, and institutional strategy. Moreover, the empirical results demonstrate that CuOIP positively influences enterprises' technological capabilities. Industrial competition pressure and enterprises' resource application capability positively moderate the relationship between the CuOIP and enterprises' technological capabilities. By delving into the theoretical underpinnings of mission-oriented innovation policies, this study contributes valuable practical insights for emerging countries aiming to achieve technological capability catch-up.

Keywords: catch-up oriented innovation policy; CuOIP; enterprises' technological capabilities; structural dimensions; policy effects.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2025.151670

International Journal of Technology Management, 2025 Vol.98 No.2/3/4, pp.259 - 297

Received: 29 Jan 2024
Accepted: 09 Jan 2025
Published online: 13 Feb 2026 *

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