Catch-up in nanotechnology industry in China from the aspect of process-based innovation

Abstract

Nanotechnology is frequently heralded as an emerging strategic industry in developed and developing countries. However, little is known about the catch-up of companies in emerging industries like the nanotechnology industry in developing countries, such as China. From the perspective of process-based innovation proposed by Linton and Walsh, this paper explores the catch-up process and role of process-based innovation in nanotechnology companies. The research reveals the catch-up process in emerging industries in developing countries is different from the original Utterback and Abernathy (U–A) model and Kim’s model, the reverse U–A model, and confirms the model proposed by Linton and Walsh. Innovation in the catch-up process in emerging industries in developing countries follows the same stages as that in advanced countries, but there is a time delay in the start of commercialisation. The research showcases a large role for competitiveness derived from owning critical technology in the production process (process-based innovation) in the catch-up process. This research contributes to the catch-up theory and catch-up in emerging industries, such as nanotechnology industry.

Keywords:

• process-based innovation
• nanotechnology
• China
• catch-up
• emerging industries
• developing countries

Acknowledgement

We wish to thank anonymous reviewers for their comments.

ORCID

Zhengyi Zhang http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3099-5980

Jun Jin http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2350-7069

Min Guo http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6775-4822

Notes

1. The National Development Plan for NanoScience and Nanotechnology (2001–2010) is available at http://www.most.gov.cn/fggw/zfwj/zfwj2001/200512/t20051214_55037.htm

2. The Chinese 12th five-year Development Plan is available at http://www.most.gov.cn/kjgh/

3. The Chinese Medium- to Long-term Plan for the Development of Science and Technology (2006–2020) is available at http://www.most.gov.cn/kjgh/kjghzcq/

4. The information and data about SIP was from the administration office and official website of SIP.

Additional information

Funding

This research is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [CNSF 71172111, CNSF71232013, CNSF 71102154, CNSF 71672172], the Philosophy and Social Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province [15JDJS02YB], and Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province [LY16G020010].