Title: Technology uncertainty and technology sourcing: case study of biopharmaceuticals in China

Authors: Yunzhen Shi; Hao Hu; Yitao Wang

Addresses: State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, 2D, Block 2, Av. Padre Tomás Pereira Taipa, Macau, China Macao SAR 999078, China ' State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, 2D, Block 2, Av. Padre Tomás Pereira Taipa, Macau, China Macao SAR 999078, China ' State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Block 3, Av. Padre Tomás Pereira Taipa, Macao SAR 999078, 406A, China

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to investigate how Chinese pharmaceutical companies facing technology uncertainty of biopharmaceutical make their decisions of technology sourcing. Through case study of seven representative biopharmaceuticals in China, three types of technology sourcing are identified: type A: Sourcing from internal; type B: Sourcing from internal and external cooperation; type C: Sourcing from external. These three types reflect consistent dynamics between starting point and entry model. Moreover, it demonstrates the impact of technology uncertainty on technology sourcing.

Keywords: technological uncertainty; technology sourcing; biopharmaceuticals; China; pharmaceutical industry; drug industry; internal sourcing; external sourcing; biotechnology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIR.2014.064614

International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 2014 Vol.8 No.5, pp.566 - 580

Published online: 22 Sep 2014 *

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