Smartness in techno-nationalism? Combining actor-network theory and institutionalization to assess Chinese smart TV development

Yongwoon Shim and Don Shin

Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 2019, vol. 139, issue C, 87-98

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to analyze China's TV industry policy from the perspective of actor-network theory, focusing particularly on smart TV policy. With the rapid development of smart technologies, smart TV has become an important trend in the Chinese industry. Using the theoretical framework of actor-network theory, this study examined the main factors leading to the rapid growth of China's smart TV industry. It also compared smart TV policy to Internet Protocol TV policy to consider the implications of the Chinese governing strategy for the future of telecommunications. The study's findings show that China has a firm grip over the smart TV industry through licensing and standardization. The traditional policy tools of licensing and technological standardization that have been used to boost and control China's domestic industry are also being used in the smart TV industry. These strategic tools are designed to protect the domestic smart TV industry. China's stance toward smart TV regulation also sheds light on the future development of telecommunications in China. By combining actor-network theory and institutionalization, this paper appreciates the complex realities of new media industry and the active role of technology in the Chinese context.

Keywords: China; Smart TV; Over the top; Internet TV; Actor-network theory; Institutionalization; Technology policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:139:y:2019:i:c:p:87-98

DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2018.09.004

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