Innovation and international technology transfer: The case of the Chinese photovoltaic industry

►China has become the world leader in the production of PV cells and modules, but remains far behind industrialized countries in the more upstream segments of the photovoltaic industry. ►International technology transfers from industrialized countries to China have taken place through two main channels: the competitive market of manufacturing equipments, and labour mobility. ►Fierce competition between equipment manufacturers and public availability of core technology have prevented intellectual property rights from hindering technology transfers towards China. ►As compared with their foreign competitors, Chinese firms file many patents, but of low technical and commercial value. ►Chinese firms' innovation is focused on process rather than on products.