Study On Technological Innovation Of Small And Medium Enterprises In Industrial Cluster

The development of industrial cluster in Zhejiang province is at a period with a shift from investment drive to innovation drive and from scale expansion to connotation enhancement. Technological innovation plays an essential role in realizing the shift. With the industrial cluster as a platform, both technological innovation of small and medium enterprises and technological upgrading of industrial cluster are the inevitable choices for enhancing industrial competitiveness and promoting the sustainable development of industrial cluster in Zhejiang province.Using methods of system analysis and game theory, this thesis investigates technological innovation of small and medium enterprises within industrial cluster in Zhejiang province based on industry organization theory, technological innovation theory and strategy management theory. First, the study analyzes the socioeconomic foundations provided by industrial cluster for technological innovation of SMEs. Secondly, the study makes an analysis of the behavior and organization characteristics of technological innovation of SMEs within industrial cluster. Thirdly, based on the previous analysis, the study explores the dynamic mechanism, cooperative mechanism, learning mechanism and resources integration mechanism in undertaking technological innovation of SMEs. Finally, low-voltage apparatus cluster in Liu city, Zhejiang province is chosen to conduct a case study.The major findings of this study are listed as follows:1) Technological innovation of SMEs in industrial cluster is motivated by various factors. Innovative atmosphere and in industrial cluster have an influence on SMEs from within and arouse the passion of them for technological innovation, while transformation and upgrading of industrial cluster and external environment affect SMEs from outside and compel them to undertake technological innovation for adapting to the new changes.2) Price and competition advantages, which are achieved by the cooperation of transverse association SMEs and longitudinal association SMEs, are greatly affected by similarity of technology requirement and complementarity of technology. In the cooperation of SMEs in a transverse association, there is negative correlation between similarity of technology requirement among enterprises and price advantages achieved by the cooperation of enterprises. However, in the cooperation of SMEs in a longitudinal association, there is positive correlation between complementarity of technology and price advantages.3) Learning patterns of SMEs in industrial cluster rely on hierarchy-network structure of cluster. Meanwhile, there are various patterns for learning technology among different kinds of SMEs.4) Leading enterprises, industrial associations and local governments play an important role in the integration of resources within industrial cluster. Local governments make up for the deficiency of leading enterprises and industrial association in the aspects of resources integration with their powers.