Unrelated diversification in latecomer contexts - the emergence of the Chinese solar photovoltaics industry

摘要: Abstract New industries emerge in increasingly complex spatial patterns that challenge existing explanations of industrial path creation. In particular, the case latecomer regions building up fields are unrelated to their previous capabilities is not well understood literature. This paper aims address this gap by expanding on an analytical framework draws innovation studies and catching-up literature characterize diversification processes contexts. A study Chinese solar photovoltaics (PV) sector reveals industry formation process differs from traditional models formation. The PV emerged a highly internationalized entrepreneurial project which firms directly mobilized knowledge, markets, investment technology legitimacy developing outside China combined them with country’s generic mass-manufacturing. some industries, globalization thus enables new model heavily extra-regional system resources.