Government intervention in technology innovation system in the catching-up context: Case of TD-LTE technology innovation in China

Abstract

China is witnessed to catch up in the field of information technology (IT) through years of technology innovation. Scholars have indicated the significance of the government promotion and efficient technology innovation systems (TIS). Innovation literature about how TIS can be functioned and efficient with government intervention is still insufficient, especially that in catching-up context. This work aims to understand mechanism of government intervention in TIS for achieving technology innovation. Combining TIS frame with institutional perspective, a framework is developed. Underlying with the framework, case of TD-LTE innovation in China is examined based on extensive documentary research and semistructured interviews. Within catching-up context, this paper argues that government is required to exert institutional forces on key components of TIS in different stages to achieve different tasks, both influential and regulative, for innovation purpose. These institutional measures work with a time sequence and the environment of technology innovation is also significant.