An Exploratory Study on Technological Innovation of Agricultural Science and Technology Enterprises in China

Qiong Yao, Meisi Xu, Wenfang Jiang, Yong Zhang

Management School, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.

DOI: 10.4236/ib.2014.63011                

Abstract

Technological innovation of agricultural science and technology (AST) of enterprises plays an important role in the development of high-tech agriculture. Enhancing technological innovation capability is the key for Agricultural Science and Technology (AST) enterprises to develop sustainably. This study examines the main dimensions and characteristics of the AST enterprises’ technological innovation. In-depth interview method is employed in this paper. The finding points out that R&D capability and marketing capability are two important capabilities of technological innovation. And the characteristics of R&D and marketing of AST enterprises are summarized. Finally, the article discusses the conclusions and implications of the study.

Keywords

Agricultural Science and Technology Enterprises, Technological Innovation, R&D Capability, Marketing Capability

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Gao, Q.J. and Zhang, C.H. (2011) Analysis of Innovation Capability of 125 Agricultural High-Tech Enterprises in China. Innovation: Management, Policy and Practice, 13, 278-290. http://dx.doi.org/10.5172/impp.2011.13.3.278
[2]	Huang, G., Li, Y., Liu, X.G. and Long, H.R. (2009) The Protruding Contradictions and Route Choices in Front of Chinese Agricultural Technology Innovations during the Transformation Stage. Soft Science, 10, 65-68.
[3]	Zhang, L.X. (2007) Innovation Platform: The Research on the Status and Tactics of Independent Innovation of Agribusiness—The Consideration from the Investigation Program of “Qian, Bai, Shi” about the Innovation of Agribusiness. China Soft Science, 4, 127-133.
[4]	Zhu, W.H. (2007) The Analysis of Agricultural Enterprise’s Technological Innovation Capability. Agricultural Economy, 6, 46-48.
[5]	Van der Veen, M. (2010) Agricultural Innovation: Invention and Adoption or Change and Adaptation? World Archaeology, 42, 1-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00438240903429649
[6]	Kotler, P. (1965) Competitive Strategies for New Product Marketing over the Life Cycle. Management Science, 12, 104-119. http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.12.4.B104
[7]	Yam, R.C., Guanb, J.C., Punc, K.F. and Tang, E.P. (2004) An Audit of Technological Innovation Capabilities in Chinese Firms: Some Empirical Findings in Beijing, China. Research Policy, 33, 1123-1140. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2004.05.004
[8]	Yang, P.P., Liu, Y. and Hou, J.G. (2009) The Analysis of the Degree of the Influence from Factors That Promote the New Product Development—Technological Innovativeness as a Moderator. Scientific Management Research, 7, 13-16.
[9]	Zhu, D.Y. and Song, H.M. (1996) Studies on Technological Innovation Concept Analysis and Performance Evaluation. Soft Science, 6, 55-57.
[10]	Moorman, C. and Slotegraaf, R.J. (1999) The Contingency Value of Complementary Capabilities in Product Development. Journal of Marketing Research, 36, 239-257. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3152096
[11]	Omar, R., Takim, R. and Nawawi, A.H. (2012) Measuring of Technological Capabilities in Technology Transfer (TT) Projects. Asian Social Science, 8, 211-221.
[12]	Song, M., Cornelia, D., Sangphet, H. and Calantone, R. (2005) Marketing and Technology Resource Complementarity: An Analysis of Their Interaction Effect in Two Environmental Contexts. Strategic Management Journal, 26, 259-276. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smj.450
[13]	Zhou, K.Z. and Wu, F. (2010) Technological Capability, Strategic Flexibility, and Product Innovation. Strategic Management Journal, 31, 547-561.
[14]	Ju, M., Zhou, K.Z., Gao, G.Y. and Lu, J.Y. (2013) Technological Capability Growth and Performance Outcome: Foreign Versus Local Firms in China. Journal of International Marketing, 21, 1-16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1509/jim.12.0171
[15]	Krasnikov, A. and Jayachandran, S. (2008) The Relative Impact of Marketing, Research-and-Development, and Operations Capabilities on Firm Performance. Journal of Marketing, 72, 1-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1509/jmkg.72.4.1
[16]	Razali, N.F., Suradi, N.R.M., Shahabuddin, F.A.A., Smail, W.R., Abidin, N.Z., Ahmad, N.A. and Mustafa, Z. (2012) Technological Innovation Capability in Malaysian-Owned Resource-Based Manufacturing Companies: Early Findings. AIP Conference Proceedings, 1522, 1483-1491.
[17]	Zawislak, P.A., Alves, A.C., Gamarra, J.T., Barbieux, D. and Reichert, F.M. (2012) Innovation Capability: From Technology Development to Transaction Capability. Journal of Technology Management and Innovation, 7, 14-27. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-27242012000200002
[18]	Su, Z.F., Peng, J.S., Shen, H. and Xiao, T. (2013) Technological Capability, Marketing Capability, and Firm Performance in Turbulent Conditions. Management and Organization Review, 9, 115-137. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8784.2011.00280.x
[19]	Zhou, K.Z., Yim, C.K. and Tse, D.K. (2005) The Effects of Strategic Orientations on Technology- and Market-Based Breakthrough Innovations. Journal of Marketing, 69, 42-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1509/jmkg.69.2.42.60756
[20]	Gray, A., Boehlje, M., Amanor-Boadu, V. and Fulton, J. (2004) Agricultural Innovation and New Ventures: Assessing the Commercial Potential. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 86, 1322-1329. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0002-9092.2004.00684.x
[21]	Xie, Z.F. (2001) Development of the Main Body of Technological Innovation in Agriculture Technology Companies. China Soft Science, 9, 88-91.
[22]	Morgan, N.A., Katsikeas, C.S. and Vorhies, D.W. (2012) Export Marketing Strategy Implementation, Export Marketing Capability and Export Venture Performance. Journal of the Academy Marketing Science, 40, 271-289. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11747-011-0275-0
[23]	Fang, E., Palmatier, R.W. and Grewal, R. (2011) Effects of Customer and Innovation Asset Configuration Strategies on Firm Performance. Journal of Marketing Research, 48, 587-602. http://dx.doi.org/10.1509/jmkr.48.3.587
[24]	Eng, T.Y. and Duygu, T.O. (2011) Exploring a Dynamic Framework of Innovative Capability: A Theoretical Integration of Technological and Marketing Capabilities. Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, 23, 1001-1013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2011.616700
[25]	Su, Z.F., Xie, E. and Peng, J.S. (2010) Impacts of Environmental Uncertainty and Firm’s Capabilities on R&D Investment: Evidence from China. Innovation: Management, Policy and Practice, 12, 269-282. http://dx.doi.org/10.5172/impp.12.3.269
[26]	O’Cass, A. and Ngo, L.V. (2011) Winning through Innovation and Marketing: Lessons from Australia and Vietnam. Industrial Marketing Management, 40, 1319-1329. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2011.10.004
[27]	Sok, P. and O’Cass, A. (2011) Achieving Superior Innovation-Based Performance Outcomes in SMEs through Innovation Resource-Capability Complementarity. Industrial Marketing Management, 40, 1285-1293. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2011.10.007
[28]	Gao, Q.J. (2008) An Empirical Analysis on Technological Innovation Capability and Its Influencing Factor of Agricultural Science and Technology Enterprises. Chinese Rural Economy, 7, 32-38.
[29]	Nath, P., Nachiappan, S. and Ramanathan, R. (2010) The Impact of Marketing Capability, Operations Capability and Diversification Strategy on Performance: A Resource-Based View. Industrial Marketing Management, 39, 317-329. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2008.09.001
[30]	Verhoef, P.C. and Leeflang, P.S.H. (2009) Understanding the Marketing Department’s Influence within the Firm. Journal of Marketing, 73, 14-37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1509/jmkg.73.2.14
[31]	Li, Q.Z., Bai, G., Yu, J.Y. and Li, Y.Q. (2011) An Empirical Analysis of the Relationship between Marketing Capability and Innovation. China Soft Science Magazine, 1, 135-141.