Technology Spillover Effect in China: The Spatiotemporal Evolution and Its Drivers

Under the background of global economic integration, the technology spillover effect is playing a more and more important role in the technological progress of developing countries. In this circumstance, this paper conducted an in-depth analysis on the 12-year spatial-temporal evolution of the international technology spillover effect and its driving determinants in China during the period of 2003 to 2014. Analytical results highlighted that: (1) As a whole, the international technology spillover effect in general has shown an upward trend in China, except in 2008 and 2012, which are observed as deep-V plunge variations. The plunge in 2008 was more dramatic. After 2011, the growth rate of international technology spillover effect from international import trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) respects slowed obviously down. (2) The spatial distribution of the international technology spillover effect from FDI in China transferred from the ribbon-like pattern to the flake-like pattern, while the effect from import trade held steady with little difference in regional spatial distribution. (3) From the drivers, human capital, economic development, trade openness, and institutional factors promoted the technological spillover effect of import trade channels positively, and financial development, human capital, economic development, and institutional factors promoted the technological spillover effect of FDI channels positively.