De-Centering 'Spatial Fix' - Patterns of Territorialization and Regional Technological Dynamism of ICT Hubs in China

Abstract

[This paper critically assesses Harvey’s “spatial fix” thesis through systematically comparing the spatial patterns and dynamics of three key regions of China’s information and communication industry (ICT). The divergent territorialization is analyzed by broadening the concepts of global pipelines and local buzz to the context of developing countries. The research is based on a large-scale survey conducted in 2006–7 in three mega-city regions of China: Beijing, Shanghai-Suzhou, and Shenzhen-Dongguan. The research found marked regional differences in industrial structure, ownership, export-orientation, and technological investment, but also a surprising convergence of technological dynamism among foreign and domestic firms within each region. The data established an unmistakable negative association between transnational corporation (TNC)–led export and technological investments. Beijing - the least foreign-oriented region - outperformed all others by a substantial margin in all measures of technological dynamism, highlighting the importance of indigenous R&D for domestic capital and for attracting technology intensive foreign capital

Keywords: High-Tech, R&D, China, ICT Industry, Transnational Corporation

JEL Classification: O19, O3, D24, E11, E22, F15, L63, N65, P26