PhD defence: Lars Oehler

Technological change associated with the green and digital transformation is radically transforming previous forms of industrial organization. This dissertation analyzes how these changing conditions in the global economy affect the development of latecomer firms. Drawing on the empirical case of latecomer firms in China’s wind energy sector, the overarching research question guiding this thesis is: what consequences do technological change and the decomposition of innovation have for the upgrading of innovation capabilities in latecomer firms? The thesis contributes to the literatures on catching up, technological learning, and the upgrading of innovation capabilities in emerging market firms and speaks to the broader debates on economic development and industrial upgrading in an era of technological change.

Primary Supervisor:
Associate Professor Stine Haakonsson
Department of Organization
Copenhagen Business School

Secondary Supervisors:
Professor Liu Xielin
School of Economics and Management
University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

Professor Susana Borrás
Department of Organization
Copenhagen Business School

Assessment Committee:
Professor Ari Kokko (Chair)
Department of International Economics, Government and Business
Copenhagen Business School

Professor Roberta Rabellotti
Department of Political and Social Science
University of Pavia

Professor Teis Hansen
Department of Food and Resource Economics
University of Copenhagen

Thesis:
The thesis will be available from research.cbs.dk

*Please note in connection with the online defence that the microphone and camera of all spectators must be turned off!