“…There seems to be evidence that Chinese innovation is different from western innovation; recent work has suggested there are a variety of reasons, ranging from different approaches to R&D, to patent law and legal frameworks, to the role of research institutes in Western versus Chinese society (Gebhardt, 2013; Kristensen & Nielsen, 2013; Liu, Simon, Sun, & Cao, 2011; Plechero & Chaminade, 2013). Some suggest – implicitly or explicitly – that the modern Chinese style in innovation may emphasize imitation of existing technologies, at least at the product and process level over innovation (Dobson & Safarian, 2008; Xie & Li-Hua, 2009; Xie & White, 2006; Zhou, 2006). This may be in part due to higher R&D costs and long-term benefits (and short term costs) associated with innovation (Cheung & Lin, 2004).…”