Beyond strategic coupling: understanding China innovation model—D.R.E.A.M

Yu Zhou

Chapter 4 in A Research Agenda for Economic Geography, 2025, pp 47-62 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter explores the theoretical implications of China's technological ascent. Economic geographical theories on institutions of innovation have primarily been shaped by advanced European and North American economies, with developing countries in Asia relying on strategic coupling with global production networks. China's rapid progress across broad technological sectors calls for a reevaluation of this “derivation” view of innovation processes. The chapter outlines China's innovative trajectory through the acronym D.R.E.A.M.: D: A dynamic dialogue between states and markets. R: A shift toward domestic research and development, reducing reliance on imported technology. E: An industrial ecosystem characterized by comprehensive and flexible manufacturing networks with less dependence on intellectual property and venture capital. A: Innovations driven by accumulative changes across many companies. M: A focus on middle-income markets, emphasizing affordability and functionality over cutting-edge technology. By contrasting China's approach with the Silicon Valley model of high-reward breakthroughs, the chapter advocates for more inclusive explanations of innovative institutions and socioeconomic impacts globally.

Keywords: Geopolitical tension; State-market dialogue; Industrial ecosystem; Accumulative changes; Middle market; 0–1 and 1–N innovation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035339914
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.elgaronline.com/doi/10.4337/9781035339921.00010 (application/pdf)
Our link check indicates that this URL is bad, the error code is: 403 Forbidden

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:elg:eechap:23610_4

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from
http://www.e-elgar.com

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in Chapters from Edward Elgar Publishing
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Jack Sweeney ().