Title: The determinants of the choice of innovation source for Chinese firms

Authors: Jian Chen, Yidi Guo, Shuo Huang, Hengyuan Zhu

Addresses: Research Center for Contemporary Management, Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Universities, School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China. ' Research Center for Contemporary Management, Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Universities, School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China. ' Research Center for Contemporary Management, Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Universities, School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China. ' Research Center for Contemporary Management, Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Universities, School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Abstract: Various factors affect a firm|s choice of sources of product innovation. Understanding these factors is important for firms to be able to choose sources of innovation based upon their specific conditions. Earlier research has identified many of these factors, mainly by focusing on the internal factors of firms in developed countries. However, there is still a lack of empirical studies of external factors, especially in terms of the relationship between different factors and the choice of sources of innovation in developing countries. This paper examines the determinants of the choice of innovation source for Chinese firms. Based on a combination of participatory studies, interviews and a survey of more than 400 firms in China, it finds that the innovative ideas of other firms are still the most frequently used source of innovation for Chinese enterprises. The links between a firm|s choice and its market environment, industry technological opportunities, firm size and R&D intensity are also identified.

Keywords: product innovation; innovation sources; choice; developing countries; China; technology management; market environment; technological opportunities; firm size; R&D intensity; research and development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2011.037237

International Journal of Technology Management, 2011 Vol.53 No.1, pp.44 - 68

Received: 06 Jan 2009
Accepted: 01 Oct 2009

Published online: 06 Apr 2013 *

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