Date of Award

1-1-2016

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College/School/Department

Department of Sociology

Content Description

1 online resource (ii, 347 pages) : illustrations (some color)

Dissertation/Thesis Chair

Richard Lachmann

Committee Members

Aaron Major, Elizabeth Popp Berman

Keywords

Technology and state, Technological innovations, Creative ability in technology, Creative ability in business, Diffusion of innovations

Subject Categories

Sociology

Abstract

This dissertation examines the question how Chinese government breaks structural constraints of the communist past and gradually reforms institutions into an innovation oriented system. Based on the study of Zhongguancun science park and also three other development zones in China, I argue that state plays a significant role in commercializing research results and upgrading Chinese indigenous technologies. Different from the already identified development models, Chinese state takes another path—what I call the Developmental Corporative State, with the central government steering the general directions while giving local governments the autonomy to flexibly implementing central policies and taking initiatives in institutional reform. This central-local relationship helps gradually change the institutional environment in China. I also discuss its advantages and limitations when compare it with the U.S.

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