Catching-up national innovations systems (NIS) in China and post-catching-up NIS in Korea and Taiwan: verifying the detour hypothesis and policy implications

Jong-Ho Lee, Keun Lee · 2021 · Innovation and Development

Summary. This study examines how China, South Korea, and Taiwan developed their innovation systems during economic catch-up. China currently specializes in short-cycle technologies, while South Korea and Taiwan have shifted toward long-cycle technologies. The research confirms the 'detour hypothesis': latecomer economies first focus on short-cycle sectors to drive growth, then transition to more complex long-cycle sectors as they mature. Economic growth correlates with these technological shifts at each development stage.

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@article{lee-2021-catching-up-national-innovations-systems,
  title   = {Catching-up national innovations systems (NIS) in China and post-catching-up NIS in Korea and Taiwan: verifying the detour hypothesis and policy implications},
  author  = {Jong-Ho Lee and Keun Lee},
  journal = {Innovation and Development},
  year    = {2021},
  doi     = {10.1080/2157930x.2021.1932062},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1080/2157930x.2021.1932062}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Catching-up national innovations systems (NIS) in China and post-catching-up NIS in Korea and Taiwan: verifying the detour hypothesis and policy implications
AU  - Jong-Ho Lee
AU  - Keun Lee
JO  - Innovation and Development
PY  - 2021
DO  - 10.1080/2157930x.2021.1932062
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1080/2157930x.2021.1932062
ER  - 

Details

DOI

10.1080/2157930x.2021.1932062

Countries

China, South Korea, Taiwan

Regions

Asia

Categories

innovation-theory, regional-innovation-systems, general-innovation

Added

2026-04-28