In order to sustain current high growth rates in the national economy, China has, among other things, been pursuing an explicit innovation policy. Spin-off-firms from universities and research institutions play a significant role in the context of innovation activities. This is due to the fact that spin-offs can be looked upon as the most innovative indigenous firms. In order to examine the following theory-based questions, case studies of spin-offs in Beijing, Hangzhou, and Wuhan will be conducted: In which way do the institutional framework conditions influence innovation behaviour? What are the characteristics of innovation processes in Chinese firms? How do innovation processes in inland regions differ from those at locations near the coast? Does the increasingly innovation-based economic growth lead to an increase in regional disparities?

Poster [535 KB]

Publications:

• Sternberg, R.; Müller, C. (2005): Return Migration in Regional Innovation Systems. In: Asian Journal of Technology Innovation, Vol. 13, No. 2, S. 71-93.
• Müller, C. (2005): Gründungspolitik und Transformation: Zur Rolle von Gründungen chinesischer Remigranten für die Entwicklung von Unternehmertum in Müller, C.: Wenn die Meeresschildkröten zurückkehren. In: Handelsblatt, 28. Juli 2004, Nr. 144. S. 8.
• Müller, C. (2004): Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer by Chinese Return Migrants - a Theoretical and Empirical Contribution to the Reverse Brain Drain Discussion. Department of Economic and Social Geography, University of Cologne. (=Working Papers, 2004-01).

Presentations to Scientific Audiences:

• Sternberg, R.; Müller, C.: Transnational entrepreneurship, local/international linkages and impact on regional growth – empirical insights from ‘new argonauts’ in China and lessons for Europe. Conference „Towards new geographies of migration“, University of Bremen. Bremen 26.09.2008.
• Sternberg, R.; Müller, C.: ‘New Argonauts’ in Shanghai. 2nd Global Conference on Economic Geography, Beijing (China) 25.-28.06.2007.
• Müller, C.; Sternberg, R.: Why entrepreneurship by return migrants is crucial for technology-based regional development. Theoretical arguments and empirical evidence from an emerging region. Paper presented at the Uddevalla-Symposium on Innovations and entrepreneurship in functional regions. Uddevalla, Sweden, September 15-17, 2005.
• Müller, C.; Sternberg, R.: Entrepreneurship, international networks and regional innovation systems - empirical evidence from Shanghai/China. The Royal Geographical Society Annual Conference, London, August 31, 2005.
• Sternberg, R.; Müller, C.: Entrepreneurship in Regional Innovation Systems - a Case Study of the Biotechnology Industry in Shanghai. Paper presented at DRUID Tenth Anniversary Summer Conference 2005, Copenhagen Business School, Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark., June 27-29, 2005. Available at DRUID.
• Müller, C.; Sternberg, R.: Regional Innovation Systems, Transnational Entrepreneurs, Hightech Development in Transformation Economies, and Local Innovation Policies - Empirical Evidence from Shanghai/China. STEPI-ASIALICS International Conference on "Innovation Policy and Management in Changing Asia". Jeju Island (Korea), 16.-19.04.2005.
• Müller, C.: Gründungspolitik und Transformation: Zur Rolle von Gründungen chinesischer Remigranten für die Entwicklung von Unternehmertum in Shanghai. 8. Rauischholzhausener Symposium zur Wirtschaftsgeographie, 28.-30.04.2005.
• Müller, C.: Wie entstehen High-tech Branchen in einem Entwicklungsland? Zur Rolle von Gründungen chinesischer Remigranten für die Biotechnologie in Shanghai. Arbeitskreis Industriegeographie, Eschwege. 12.-13.11.2004.
• Liefner, I.: Innovative Spin-offs in Regionen mit unterschiedlichem Entwicklungsstand: Idee und Umsetzung eines Forschungsprojekts in China, Sitzung des Arbeitskreises Industriegeographie, Eschwege, 14.-15.11.2003.