How to improve the technological innovation capability of latecomer firms An integrated perspective

Abstract

This paper discusses the evolution track and micro-mechanism of LCFs’ technological innovation capability from the perspective of integration of “Innovation Strategy-Innovation Paradigm-technological Innovation capability(SPT)”. It makes an longitudinal exploratory case of Huawei Company from 1987 to 2018. In this paper, it is found that: first, Huawei’s evolution of technological innovation capability is “Imitation Innovation capability-Primary Secondary Innovation capability - Ripe Secondary Innovation capability - Integrated Innovation capability - Original Innovation capability”. Technology innovation capability can be measured from three dimensions of technical distance, technical efficiency and technical reserves. Second, absorptive capability is the intermediate variable between the interaction of innovation strategy and technological innovation capability. Third, the driving mechanism, regulating mechanism and catalytic mechanism among the integrated evolution model in SPT of LCFs’ are respectively the Knowledge Cycle Mechanism, Knowledge Diversity and Dissipative Structure Theory. The theoretical contribution of this paper is as follows: it provides a new theoretical perspective for the follow-up research, and also provides a theoretical reference for the existing LCFs to get out of the bottleneck of development.