Towards industry upgrading: A study of catching up strategies of Chinese sectors

Abstract

Although interest in the Catching up strategy of developing countries has increased during recent years, this line of research is focused on national analysis from the beginning, developed nations as benchmark for fruitful lagging-behind countries, which need to be reviewed. Accordingly, we utilize a literature analysis method to distinguish the difference among developing and developed countries of catching up process. Based on our analysis, we state that the lagging-behind countries have the late-coming advantages. In the short term, the developing countries are able to achieve technical imitation by catching up with the technology. However, in the long run, imitation innovation is always based on the main concepts of developed countries, and does not really integrate the actual situation, social resources, and economic situation of developing countries. Consequently, it is essential for developing countries to find an innovating way to precede transformation.