Title: What drives success in product innovation? Empirical evidence in high-tech and low-tech manufacturers in China

Authors: Kris M.Y. Law; Antonio K.W. Lau; W.H. Ip

Addresses: Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, School of Engineering, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia ' School of Management, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea ' Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

Abstract: The study aims to determine what are the major factors affecting the performance of innovation systems in both high- and low-tech industries in China. Multiple regression and PLS analyses were used to analyse a survey data from 152 manufacturers in China. This study showed that internal R&D and competitors are the major drivers of innovation that improves the sales of new-to-market products. Major barriers of innovation include law regulations, standards and tax issues and the potential market being owned by other firms. The motivating factors include new market entry, improvement of product quality, and increase in market share. Low-tech and high-tech firms may follow different innovation paths and are promoted by differential sources of innovation, barriers and motivating factors. Some innovation activities such as acquisition of external knowledge and preparations are found to have significant mediating effects on the above relationships. The research project brings about specific guidelines for local legislative bodies to enact effective innovation policies that align closely with the innovation characteristics of local industries.

Keywords: innovation; motivating factors; barriers; China manufacturers; empirical study; China.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2019.097525

International Journal of Technology Management, 2019 Vol.79 No.2, pp.165 - 198

Accepted: 03 Nov 2016
Published online: 28 Jan 2019 *

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