From technological imitators to technological leaders: Evidence from Huawei case study

This paper draws on the dimensions of absorptive capacity (ACAP) to elaborate how the technological imitators in the emerging economies achieve technological catching-up. It is critical for local firms in emerging economies to absorb and apply external advanced technological knowledge. Moreover, the pattern of firms´ innovation strategies should evolve gradually in different stages of technological catching-up. And different dimensions of ACAP are complementary, and play different roles in different stages. Based on the Huawei case study, this paper suggests that local firms in emerging economies should attach importance to different dimensions of ACAP and enhance them in different developmental stages in the process of transformation from technological imitators to technological leaders.