Catch-up models of science and technology: A theorization of the Asian experience from bi-logistic growth trajectories

This paper attempts to examine the strategies of national innovation system that shaped the science and technology cycles of South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and China by theorizing the science and technology (proxied by papers and patents) trajectories of these economies using Meyer's taxonomy of bi-logistic growth. The findings suggest that the strategic catch-up models of South Korea and Taiwan have resulted in a much longer pulse in the growth trajectories during the transition towards knowledge-based economy than countries that are dependent on FDI for learning and acquiring technology during the early catch-up period such as China and Malaysia, while the results are mixed for Singapore. The catch-up strategy of supporting new start-ups for pioneering technology facilitated the development of capabilities of indigenous firms in the case of South Korea and Taiwan. This provides a policy lesson for transition from industrial-based to knowledge-driven development through the formation of evolving dynamic propagating behavior in science and technology. •The Asian catch-up experience is theorized using bi-logistic growth paths.•Structural change in science and technology trajectories is evident.•Building on indigenous production capacity produces propagating outcomes.•FDI-leveraging economies risk their learning being locked-in at MNC operations.•The adoption of FDI-model obstructs the “common path” in pursuing development.