The Nexus between Foreign Competition and Buying Innovation: Evidence from China’s High-Technology Industry

Abstract

This study aims to investigate how international competition impacts innovation activities in the high-technology industry in China. A panel data analysis was conducted using a representative sample of high-tech industries in China from 2010 to 2017. Econometric methods were used to identify patterns and trends in the data, and quantile regression was utilized to explore the delicate connection between international competition and innovation efforts. The statistical analysis indicates that the effect of international competition on innovation activities differs through dependent quantiles of the innovation range; this effect was neglected by a standard linear regression model. The study found a U-shaped connection between foreign competition and innovation, except for at the quantile (Q = 0.01), which was negative. Foreign competition was found to be a critical factor influencing the strength of innovation activities in the high-tech industry in China. This research suggests that the extent of foreign competition has a bearing on the industry’s capacity to lead in innovation. This study is unique in that it addresses the influence of international competition on industry-level innovation accomplishments in a big rising country, such as China. The study also highlights the importance of evaluating the quantile effect of the variable on innovative activities, which was more informative than estimating the mean effect. The study’s limitation lies in the reliance on secondary data sources, which may not be as comprehensive as primary data. The research’s implications suggest that policymakers should pay attention to the impact of foreign competition on innovation activities and implement policies that foster innovation in the high-tech industry in China.