Time:14:00 - 17:30 AM,13 May, 2024

Speaker: Professor Li Jiatao, Lee Kwok Wai Chair Professor of Business at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) School of Business, Chair Professor of the Department of Management, Director of the Centre for Business Strategy and Innovation at the HKUST School of Business, Senior Fellow of the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) at HKUST, Chair Professor of the Cheung Kong Scholars, Fellow of the American Institute of International Business (AIB), Vice-President (2016-2019) of the American Institute of International Business (AIB), and Chair of the 2018 Conference of the American Institute of International Business (AIB). Academy of International Business (AIB), Vice President of AIB (2016-2019), and President of AIB 2018 Annual Meeting. He currently serves as Associate Editor (2016-2025) of Journal of International Business Studies (JIBS), the leading journal of international business, and Associate Editor of Strategic Management Journal (SMJ), the leading journal of strategic management from 2009-2016. Professor Li was the Senior Associate Dean of the HKUST Business School from July 2013 to July 2017, Associate Dean of the HKUST Business School from 2009 to July 2013, and Head of the Department of Management of the HKUST Business School from 2006 to August 2017.

Abstract:

The study sheds light on the strategic adaptation of Chinese high-tech firms in an increasingly volatile and uncertain global environment. To mitigate surge risk, this study identifies innovation decoupling as a potential strategic response for Chinese firms. Using a dataset and difference-in-differences model of Chinese listed firms from 2009-2022, this study finds that the listing of peer entities leads to increased innovation decoupling. In addition, international risk exposure of the industry, firms and top management reinforces this effect through increased risk awareness.