Technological upgrading in Chinese cities: the roles of FDI, pace and rhythm

Abstract

ABSTRACTPreviously, most literature has argued that FDI spillovers are dependent upon the degree of foreign presence in host regions, but often neglected FDI expansion time-based characteristics’ roles. This paper therefore develops the constructs of pace and rhythm as key features of foreign expansion process. It moves the concept of time compression diseconomies beyond the firm level to cities, and hopes to investigate how technological upgrading in one region is influenced by the FDI expansion process. Based on the panel data set of 244 Chinese cities over 2004–2011, our results illustrate that irregular and unpredictable foreign expansions significantly diminish FDI spillovers in Chinese cities, and it also directly impedes technological upgrading in local area. Rapid foreign expansion process itself impedes technological upgrading, but it significantly enhances technology transfers and disseminations of FDI in Chinese cities. Moreover, this paper also provides implications to contribute to the theoretical framework, and helps policy-makers’ decision-making.