Late-mover advantages, innovation capability, and leapfrogging upgrading of low-carbon technology: evidence from...

This research examines the ability of Chinese enterprise groups to leapfrog the upgrading of low-carbon technologies. A theoretical model based on backwardness advantage, innovation theory, and technological leapfrogging theory is proposed to investigate the determinants of late-mover advantage and innovation capability in Chinese provinces. The study conducted interviews with 198 selected group managers from China's top 500 manufacturing enterprises and collected data from 248 related departments through questionnaires. The collected data was analyzed using the partial least square-structural equation model (PLS-SEM) to test the reliability and validity of the questionnaire and verify theoretical assumptions. Results show that late-mover advantage positively and significantly affects innovation capability, indicating that Chinese enterprise groups can utilize their late-mover advantage to innovate quickly and upgrade low-carbon technology. These findings have crucial implications for China's medium-term sustainable development trajectory.