Innovation through acquisition: The Jiangsu Little Swan Group Company in the People's Republic of China

Abstract

Purpose

Through a case study of the Jiangsu Little Swan Group Company in the People's Republic of China aims to describe the transition from initial attempts at imitation of products through to the realisation that innovation would need to be purchased

Design/methodology/approach

Relates the ensuing strategic alliance between the Jiangsu Little Swan Group Company and Matsushita of Japan, the acquisition of critical technology, and finally, the development of the company' own R&D culminating in over 150 technology patents by the end of the year 2002.

Findings

Finds that Little Swan has demonstrated that it is possible to successfully make an extraordinary revolutionary shift from one industry into another.

Originality/value

The case of Little Swan clearly demonstrates that innovation can be successfully integrated into a firm from external sources through direct acquisition.

Citation

Pech, R.M., Pech, R.J., Wei, D. and Shi, H. (2005), "Innovation through acquisition: The Jiangsu Little Swan Group Company in the People's Republic of China", European Journal of Innovation Management, Vol. 8 No. 1, pp. 107-119. https://doi.org/10.1108/14601060510578600