Linking, leveraging and learning: Sectoral systems of innovation and technological catch-up in China's commercial aerospace industry

Abstract

Developing countries often have ambitions to become major players in the commercial aerospace industry, but it remains effectively a duopoly dominated by Boeing of the USA and Europe's Airbus. China is no exception and the projects designed to bring this about have taken a number of forms. Adopting the sectoral system of innovation (SSI) as an analytical framework, this paper explores recent changes in the industry. Using China's ARJ21 regional jet programme as a case study, it examines how these changes provide opportunities for latecomer nations to catch-up technologically. It is argued that the new institutional context and the presence of new actors within the SSI, represent an opportunity for latecomer nations like China to acquire the capability to design, develop and manufacture commercial jet airliners, through linking with Western suppliers. However the analysis reveals that as a latecomer nation, China may prove to be a special case, with the opportunities for catch-up by other latecomers much more limited.