Title: The tamest of tigers? Understanding Hong Kong's innovation system and innovation policies

Authors: Naubahar Sharif, Erik Baark

Addresses: Division of Social Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR. ' Division of Social Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR

Abstract: Using Hong Kong as a case study, this paper explicates the innovation system in a |Tiger| economy that has been less successful in making up lost technological ground than neighbouring Tiger economies. The paper outlines two important sides of Hong Kong|s innovation system: its strengths, characterised by a focus on flexible linkages, learning patterns, absorptive capabilities and exploitation of existing technology; and its weaknesses, characterised by fragmentation in its current innovation policy mix, which has adversely affected its success in innovation-intensive fields. We argue that this policy mix needs urgent remediation if Hong Kong is to pull even in introducing technology and innovation policies.

Keywords: Hong Kong; innovation systems; innovation policy; newly industrialising economies; NIE; tiger economies; East Asia; technology adoption; globalisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTG.2005.008753

International Journal of Technology and Globalisation, 2005 Vol.1 No.3/4, pp.462 - 479

Published online: 21 Jan 2006 *

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