Upgrading Through Innovation in a Small Network Economy: Insights from Taiwan's IT Industry
Economics of Innovation and New Technology Vol. 19, No. 4, 295–324, June 2010
Posted: 26 Apr 2016
Date Written: April 23, 2010
Abstract
This paper analyzes the recent experience of Taiwan’s information technology (IT) industry to explore the challenges and opportunities faced by a small economy that is deeply integrated into global networks of production and innovation. I introduce a conceptual framework to examine how specialization, learning (‘absorptive capacity’) and innovation enhance the potential for industrial upgrading. Finding the right balance between firm-level and industry-level upgrading and between domestic and international elements is a moving target and requires permanent adjustments to changes in markets and technology.
Three findings distinguish this paper from prior work. First, absorptive capacity is critical for Taiwan’s attempts to upgrade its IT industry through innovation. Second, Taiwanese firms now must increase R&D to avoid diminishing returns of network integration. Third, integration into diverse networks of production and innovation may well provide new lower-cost opportunities for ‘industrial upgrading through innovation’. ‘Technology diversification’, which combines incremental and architectural innovations, can serve as a complementary and arguably less costly option to ‘technology' leadership’ strategies.
Keywords: globalization, internationalization of R&D, global innovation networks, global production networks, learning, innovation, innovation policies, industrial upgrading, Taiwan, IT industry
JEL Classification: F23, G34, L15, L22, L63, O14, O19, O3, R12
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