Title: The emerging public technological platforms in China: comparing with R&D consortia in Japan and USA

Authors: Qiang Xu

Addresses: College of Business Administration, Zhejiang University of Technology, Pingfeng Campus, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310032, China

Abstract: A series of public technological platforms (PTPs) has emerged in China over the recent years. PTPs may share certain characteristics with government-sponsored R&D consortia which have flourished in Japan, USA and Europe over the decades. This paper begins with an examination of the origins and developments of PTPs in the unique context of China, detailing PTPs with case studies. Then, contrasting to the R&D consortia in Japan and USA, this paper illustrates the roles of PTPs and their current operation. Thus, it helps us to understand the emergence of PTPs out of the specific development stage of China and reveal the nature of PTPs. Furthermore, this paper addresses key issues including of the goals and organisational arrangements of PTPs, the involvement of government, all of which can be integrated to the systematic framework for developing a typology and speculating on the potential evolutionary path of PTP|s in China.

Keywords: cooperative R&D; research and development; public technological platforms; innovation; government-sponsored R&D consortia; cooperation; Japan; United States; USA; Europe; PTPs; goals; organisational arrangements; systematic frameworks; typologies; Zhejiang; pharmaceutical industry; integrated circuits industry; electronics; business; systems research; China; strategic management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2010.035080

International Journal of Business and Systems Research, 2010 Vol.4 No.5/6, pp.673 - 690

Published online: 02 Sep 2010 *

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