Positioning Chinese practices in global innovation studies: A literature review on system of innovation research
This thesis offers a systematic review of the system of innovation (SI) literature, to bridge between Chinese innovation practice and global studies on innovation systems. It is developed from the standpoint of how to understand and evaluate innovation systems in China based on current wisdom. First, the Chinese innovation system, like its global counterparts, is a product of the concept that innovation is the major tool for development. As innovation becomes the center of development studies and globalization process intensifies competition between regions, places rely on SIs to stay competitive. Second, however, rationales of neoclassical and evolutionary approaches still compete within SI research, that it fails to provide with a set of concrete recommendations for Chinese policymakers to build innovation systems, and the Chinese environment in terms of culture, firm and governance structures challenges several key assumptions in SI literature. Third, the thesis categories three deficiencies in the current SI research: 1. Failed to incorporate innovation systems at different scales; 2. Very limited studies on experience outside of technologically advanced countries; 3. Overlooked the negative effect of SI development, such as the growing inequality. Then, it argues how studies on Chinese innovation systems would complement current studies.
System of innovation, Economic development, China
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign