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Research
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Research interests
Industrialisation/technology and development; foreign direct investment and economic development in China; emerging Asian economies; innovation in US/EU
Xiaolan Fu
Professor of Technology and International Development
Xiaolan Fu (傅晓岚) is the Founding Director of the Technology and Management Centre for Development (TMCD), Professor of Technology and International Development, Fellow of Green Templeton College and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and Founder of OxValue.AI.
She was appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the Ten-Member High Level Advisory Group of the UN Technology Facilitation Mechanism and to the Governing Council of the UN's Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries. She is also a member of the UN SDSN Leadership Council led by Jeffrey Sachs. She is winner of a 2021 Falling Walls Scientific Breakthrough Award, the 2019 winner of the CFA Asia-Pacific Research Exchange Award (CFA Insitute), the 2018 winner of the Best Journal Paper of the Year Award (European Academy of International Business), and the 2017 winner of the Best Paper Award (European Association of Management (EURAM) Innovation Strategic Interest Group).
Her research interests include innovation, technology and industrialisation; trade, foreign direct investment and economic development; emerging Asian economies; innovation and productivity in the UK/US.
She has published extensively in leading international journals independently or in collaboration with others. Her recent books include Innovation under the Radar (forthcoming), China's Path to Innovation, China’s Role in Global Economic Recovery and The Rise of Technological Power in the South. She is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, and serves on the editorial boards of Industrial and Corporate Change, International Journal of Technology Management, and four other international journals.
Professor Fu has received large research grants from funding bodies that include the European Commission, ESRC, EPSRC, British Academy, DFID, and the Cairncross Foundation. She also received the European Commission EFMD Gate2Growth 2005 'European Best Paper' Award, Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence 2012 Outstanding Paper Award, and European Association of Management (EURAM) annual conference Innovation Strategic Interest Group 2017 Best Paper Award.
She has been a consultant for UNDESA, UNCTAD, UNIDO, the World Bank, the OECD, the European Commission, the ILO, the Commonwealth Secretariat, UKTI and the Chinese government. Professor Fu serves on the Advisory Expert Group of the OECD Global Investment Forum and the DFID/ESRC Economic Growth Directorate (DEGP), and was President of the Chinese Economic Association (Europe) and CEA (UK) in 2010-11. She currently serves on the Management Committee of the Oxford University China Centre. She is also a Senior Research Associate at the University of Cambridge and University of Tsinghua, and a Visiting Professor at Fudan University. As a leading China expert, she has participated in various media interviews and panel discussions including for the BBC, Sky News, CCTV, CGTN, People's Daily, and China Daily. In 2014 she was invited to address the UN General Assembly on ‘Science, technology and innovation in developing countries’.
Professor Fu came to Oxford from Cambridge University, where she was a Senior Research Fellow. Before coming to the UK, she had five years’ work experience in the business sector in China before embarking on her academic career.
Xiaolan Fu teaches Quantitative Research Methods for the MPhil in Development Studies and the MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy. She also contributes to the MPhil core course and offers an option on Technology and Industrialisation in Developing Countries.
DPhil students supervised
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Books and monographsFu, Xiaolan (with Bruce McKern, Jin Chen )(2022) 'The Oxford Handbook of China Innovation ', Oxford University PressFu, Xiaolan (2020) 'Innovation under the radar: The nature and sources of innovation in Africa ', Cambridge University PressFu, Xiaolan (with George Owusu Essegbey and Godfred Kwasi Frempong )(2019) 'Multinationals, Local Capacity Building and Development: The Role of Chinese and European MNEs ', Edward ElgarFu, Xiaolan (with Pervez N Ghauri, Juha Väätänen )(2017) 'Multinational Enterprises and Sustainable Development ', London and New York: EmeraldFu, Xiaolan (2015) 'China's Path to Innovation ', Cambridge: Cambridge University PressFu, Xiaolan (2011) 'China's Role in Global Economic Recovery ', Routledge. Translated and reprinted in Chinese by Yilin Press, 2012.Fu, Xiaolan (with Luc Soete )(2010) 'The Rise of Technological Power in the South ', Basingstoke: Palgrave MacmillanFu, Xiaolan (with A Cosh, A Hughes, R De Hoyos, A Eisingerich )(2006) 'Experiences of UK Mid-corporate Companies in Emerging Asian Economies ', UK Trade & InvestmentFu, Xiaolan (2004) 'Exports, Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Development in China ', London and New York: Palgrave Macmillan
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Journal articles and special issuesFu, Xiaolan (with Xiaoqing Fu, Pervez Ghauri and Hina Khan)(2023) 'Tackling exigent grand challenges through corporate social innovation: Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic ', Journal of Product Innovation ManagementFu, Xiaolan (with J Li, A Van Assche, Lee Li and G Qian )(2022) 'The Belt and Road Initiative and international business policy: A kaleidoscopic perspective ', Journal of International Business Policy 5 : 135-51Fu, Xiaolan (with P Ghauri and A Minayora )(2022) 'Digital technology-based entrepreneurial pursuit of the marginalised communities ', Journal of International ManagementFu, Xiaolan (with S Zeng, A Tanveer, Y Gu, M Irfan )(2022) 'Modeling the influence of critical factors on the adoption of green energy technologies ', Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 168Fu, Xiaolan (with M Q Fu, P Ghauri and J Hou )(2022) ' International collaboration and innovation: from a leading Chinese multinational enterprise ', Journal of World Business 57 (4)Fu, Xiaolan (with Pervez Ghauri, Xiaoqiang Xing )(2022) 'Platform-based business model and entrepreneurs from Base of the Pyramid ', TechnovationFu, Xiaolan (with E Avenyo, P Ghauri )(2021) 'Digital platforms and development: a survey of the literature ', Innovation and DevelopmentFu, Xiaolan (with David Emes, Jun Hou )(2021) 'Multinational enterprises and structural change in developing countries: A survey of literature ', International Business Review 30 (2)Fu, Xiaolan (with Jing Zhang, Liming Wang )(2021) 'The impact of Covid-19 and post-pandemic recovery: China and the world economy ', Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies 18 (4)Fu, Xiaolan (with Jin Chen, Ximing Yin, Bruce McKern )(2021) 'Beyond catch-up: could China become the global innovation powerhouse? China’s innovation progress and challenges from a holistic innovation perspective ', Industry and Corporate ChangeFu, Xiaolan (with Rasmus Lema, Roberta Rabellotti )(2021) 'Green windows of opportunity: latecomer development in the age of transformation toward sustainability ', Industry and Corporate Change 29 (5) : 1193–1209Fu, Xiaolan (with Yongjia Lin (Rebecca), Xiaoqing Fu(Maggie) )(2021) 'Varieties in state capitalism and corporate innovation: Evidence from an emerging economy ', Journal of Corporate Finance 61Fu, Xiaolan (with Yawen Li, Jizhen Li, Henry Chesbrough )(2021) 'When do latecomer firms undertake international open innovation: Evidence from China ', Global Strategy JournalFu, Xiaolan (with Xiaoqing (Maggie) Fu, Carmen Contreras Romero, Jianping Pan )(2020) 'Exploring new opportunities through collaboration within and beyond sectoral systems of innovation: Evidence from China ', Industry and Corporate ChangeFu, Xiaolan (with Liu Shi, Shaomeng Li )(2020) 'The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Technology Innovation and Firm Wages: Empirical Evidence from OECD Economies ', Revue d'économie industrielle 169 : 89-125Fu, Xiaolan (2020) 'Digital transformation of global value chains and sustainable post-pandemic recovery ', Transnational Corporations 27 (2) : 157-166Fu, Xiaolan (with Pervez Ghauri )(2020) 'Trade in intangibles and global trade imbalance ', World Economy 44 (5) : 1448-1469Fu, Xiaolan (with Simone Corsi, Cintia Külzer-Sacilotto )(2020) 'Boundary Spanning Roles in Cross-border University-Industry Collaboration: the Case of Chinese Multinational Corporations ', R&D Management 51 (3) : 309-21Fu, Xiaolan (with Xiaoqing (Maggie) Fu, Qun Bao, Hongjun Xie )(2020) 'Diffusion of Industrial Robots and Inclusive Growth: Labour Market Evidence from Cross-Country Data ', Journal of Business ResearchFu, Xiaolan (with Peter J Buckley, Xiaoqing Maggie Fu )(2020) 'The Growth Impact of Chinese Direct Investment on Host Developing Countries ', International Business Review 29 (2)Fu, Xiaolan (with H Lin, G Yip, J Yang )(2019) 'Collaborative innovation for more value: how to make it work ', Journal of Business StrategyFu, Xiaolan (with Yi Zhang, Kaihua Chen )(2019) 'Scientific effects of Triple Helix interactions among research institutes, industries and universities ', Technovation 86-87 : 33-47Fu, Xiaolan (with Ann Njoki Kingiri )(2019) 'Understanding the diffusion and adoption of digital finance innovation in emerging economies: M-Pesa money mobile transfer service in Kenya ', Innovation and DevelopmentFu, Xiaolan (with K Chen, Y Zhang )(2018) 'International Research Collaboration: An Emerging Domain of Innovation Studies? ', Research Policy 48 (1) : 149-68Fu, Xiaolan (with Pierre Mohnen, Giacomo Zanello )(2018) 'Innovation and productivity in formal and informal firms in Ghana ', Technological Forecasting and Social Change 131: 315-25Fu, Xiaolan (with Zhongjuan Sun, Pervez N Ghauri )(2018) 'Reverse knowledge acquisition in emerging market MNEs: The experiences of Huawei and ZTE ', Journal of Business ResearchFu, Xiaolan (with Jun Hou, Xiaohui Liu )(2018) 'Unpacking the relationship between outward direct investment and innovation performance: evidence from Chinese firms ', World Development 102: 111-23Fu, Xiaolan (with K Chen and M Kou )(2017) 'Evaluation of multi-period regional R&D efficiency: An application of dynamic DEA to China's regional R&D systems ', Omega 74 : 103-14Fu, Xiaolan (with Lutao Ning, Dylan Sutherland )(2017) 'Local context and innovation in China ', Asian Business and Management 16 (3) : 117-29Fu, Xiaolan (with Jun Hou, Marco Sanfilippo )(2017) 'Highly skilled returnees and the internationalization of EMNEs: Firm level evidence from China ', International Business Review 26 (3) : 579–91Fu, Xiaolan (with G Zanello, P Mohnen and M Ventresca )(2016) 'The creation and diffusion of innovation in developing countries: A systematic literature review ', Journal of Economic Surveys 30 (5) : 884-912Fu, Xiaolan (with S Akter )(2016) 'The Impact of Mobile Phone Technology on Agricultural Extension Services Delivery: Evidence from India ', Journal of Development Studies 52 (11) : 1561-76Fu, Xiaolan (with WT Woo, J Hou )(2016) 'Technological innovation policy in China: The lessons, and the necessary changes ahead ', Economic Change and Restructuring 49 (2-3) : 139-57Fu, Xiaolan (with J Li )(2016) 'Collaboration with foreign universities for innovation: evidence from Chinese manufacturing firms ', International Journal of Technology Management 70 (2/3) : 193-217Fu, Xiaolan (with C Auffray )(2015) 'Chinese MNEs and managerial knowledge transfer in Africa: The case of the construction sector in Ghana ', Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies 13 (4) : 285-310Fu, Xiaolan (with R Mu )(2014) 'Enhancing China's Innovation Performance: The Policy Choices ', China & World Economy 22 (2) : 42-60Fu, Xiaolan (with G Shen )(2014) 'Trade effects of US anti-dumping actions against China ', World Economy 37 (1) : 86-105Fu, Xiaolan (with H Xiong, J Li and Henry Chesbrough )(2014) 'Open innovation as a response to constrains and risks and the moderating role of ownership ', Asian Economic Papers 13 (3) : 30-58Fu, Xiaolan (with F Wang, J Chen )(2014) 'Differential Forms of Technological Change and Catch-Up: Evidence from China ', International Journal of Innovation Technology Management 11 (2)Fu, Xiaolan (2014) 'Trade, Technology and Development in LDCs, SSA and SVEs: An Assessment ', Commonwealth Trade Hot Topics 104Fu, Xiaolan (with S Zhu )(2013) 'Drivers of Export Upgrading ', World Development 51 : 221-33Fu, Xiaolan (with S Heffernan, M X Fu )(2013) 'Financial innovation in the UK ', Applied Economics 45 (24) : 3400-11Fu, Xiaolan (with T Li, M Fu )(2013) 'Technology Development Path in an Open Developing Economy: Evidence from China ', Applied Economics 45 (11) : 1405-18Fu, Xiaolan (2013) 'Computerisation and efficiency of rural credit cooperatives: evidence from India ', Journal of International Development 25 (3) : 412-37Fu, Xiaolan (2012) 'Foreign Direct Investment and Managerial Knowledge Spillovers Through the Diffusion of Management Practices ', Journal of Management Studies 49(5) : 970-99Fu, Xiaolan (with C Helmers, J Zhang )(2012) 'The Two Faces of Foreign Management Capabilities: FDI and Productive Efficiency in the UK Retail Sector ', International Business Review 21 (1) : 71-88Fu, Xiaolan (2012) 'How Does Openness Affect the Importance of Incentives for Innovation? ', Research Policy 41 (3) : 512-23Fu, Xiaolan (with R Kaplinsky, J Zhang )(2012) 'The Impact of China on Low and Middle Income Countries' Export Prices in Industrial-Country Markets ', World Development 40(8) : 1483-98Fu, Xiaolan (with H Xiong )(2011) 'Open Innovation in China: Policies and Practices ', Journal of Science and Technology Policy in China 2(3) : 196-218Fu, Xiaolan (with A Cosh, A Hughes )(2011) 'Organisation, Structure and Innovation Performance in Different Environments ', Small Business EconomicsFu, Xiaolan (with J Zhang )(2011) 'Technology Transfer, Indigenous Innovation and Leapfrogging in Green Technology: Solar-PV Panel Industries in India and China ', Journal of Chinese Economics and Business Studies 9(4) : 329-47Fu, Xiaolan (2011) 'Processing-trade, FDI and Exports of Indigenous Firms: Firm-level Evidence from High-technology Industries in China ', Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics 73 (6) : 792-817Fu, Xiaolan (with Y Gong )(2011) 'Indigenous and Foreign Innovation Efforts and Drivers of Technological Upgrading: Evidence from China ', World Development 39 (7) : 1213-25Fu, Xiaolan (with Carlo Pietrobelli, Luc Soete )(2009) 'The Role of Foreign Technology and Indigenous Innovation in Emerging Economies: Technological Change and Catch-up ', World Development 39(7) : 1203-12Fu, Xiaolan (with Q Yang )(2009) 'Exploring the Cross Country Innovation Gap in Patenting: A Stochastic Frontier Approach ', Research Policy 38(7) : 1203-13Fu, Xiaolan (with J Zhang )(2008) 'FDI and Environmental Regulations in China ', Journal of Asia Pacific Economy 13(3) : 332-53Fu, Xiaolan (2008) 'Foreign Direct Investment, Absorptive Capacity and Regional Innovation Capabilities in China ', Oxford Development Studies 36(1) : 89-110Fu, Xiaolan (2007) 'Trade-cum-FDI, Human Capital Inequalities and Regional Disparities in China ', Journal of Economic Change and Restructuring 40(1-2) : 137-55Fu, Xiaolan (2005) 'Exports, Techical Progress and Productivity Growth in a Transition Economy: a Non-parametric Approach for China ', Applied Economics 37(7) : 725-39Fu, Xiaolan (with V N Balasubramanyam )(2005) 'Exports, Foreign Direct Investment and Employment: The Case of China ', The World Economy 28(4) : 607-25Fu, Xiaolan (2004) 'Limited Linkages from Growth Engines and Regional Disparities in China ', Journal of Comparative Economics 32(1) : 148-64Fu, Xiaolan (with VN Balasubramanyam )(2003) 'Township and Village Enterprises in China ', Journal of Development Studies 39(4) : 27-46
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ChaptersFu, Xiaolan (with G Essegbey, G Frempong )(2017) 'MNEs and capabilities building in Ghana ', In Xiaolan Fu, Pervez N Ghauri, Juha Väätänen (eds) Multinational Enterprises and Sustainable Development London and New York: EmeraldFu, Xiaolan (with G Essegbey, G Frempong )(2017) 'Multinational enterprises, sustainable development and poverty alleviation: Past, present, and future ', Multinational Enterprises and Sustainable Development London and New York: EmeraldFu, Xiaolan (with S Akter, L Bremermann, M Rosa, V Nattrodt, J Väätänen, R Teplov and I Khairullina )(2017) 'MNEs’ contribution to sustainable energy and development: the case of "Light for All" program in Brazil ', In Xiaolan Fu, Pervez N Ghauri, Juha Väätänen (eds) Multinational Enterprises and Sustainable Development London and New York: EmeraldFu, Xiaolan (2016) 'Innovations in the Informal Economy: Recent research development and areas for future research ', In Sacha Wunsch-Vincent, Erika Kraemer-Mbula (eds) The Informal Economy in Developing Nations: Hidden Engine of Innovation? - New economic insights and policies Cambridge University PressFu, Xiaolan (with J Hou )(2016) 'Key Determinants of Technological Capabilities for a Green Economy in Emerging Economies ', In R Vos, D Alarcon (eds) Going Green. Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development World BankFu, Xiaolan (with R Kaplinsky, D Kale )(2011) 'Global Manufactures Prices: How Do China's Exports Compare? ', X Fu (ed) China's Role in the Global Economic Recovery RoutledgeFu, Xiaolan (with Q Sun )(2011) 'China in the Global Economic Crisis: Impact and Adjustment ', In X Fu (eds) China's Role in the Global Economic Recovery RoutledgeFu, Xiaolan (with D Xu )(2011) 'The Private Sector and the Sustainability of China's Export Growth ', In X Fu (eds) China's Role in the Global Economic Recovery RoutledgeFu, Xiaolan (with L Soete, L Sonne )(2010) 'Science, Technology and Development: Emerging Concepts and Visions ', In Xiaolan Fu, Luc Soete (eds) The Rise of Technological Power in the South Basingstoke: Palgrave MacmillanFu, Xiaolan (with C Polzin )(2010) 'Sustainability of Technology Intensive Social Innovations: The Role of Absorptive Capacity and User Freedom of Choice ', In Xiaolan Fu, Luc Soete (eds) The Rise of Technological Power in the South Basingstoke: Palgrave MacmillanFu, Xiaolan (2006) 'Exports, FDI, Linkages and Regional Disparities in China ', In S Yao, J Chen (eds) Globalization, Competition and Growth in China London: Taylor and Francis : pp 163-81
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ReportsFu, Xiaolan (2014) 'What potential does open innovation hold for Asia ', The Economist Intelligence UnitFu, Xiaolan (2013) 'Does FDI Provide Spoils, or Does It Just Spoil? ', China Daily, January 25
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Working papersFu, Xiaolan (with S Liu, T Li )(2013) 'The determinants and impact of outward direct investment from China: evidence from Guangdong Survey ', TMD Centre Working Paper No 051Fu, Xiaolan (with M Fu, T Li )(2008) 'International and Intra-national Technology Spillovers and Technological Development Paths in Developing Countries ', UNU-WIDER Research Paper No 2008/96Fu, Xiaolan (with P-O Siebers et al )(2008) 'Enhancing Productivity: The Role of Management Practices ', Advanced Institute of Management (AIM) Working Paper 065Fu, Xiaolan (with A Eisengerich, R De Hoyos )(2007) 'Clusters of Management Practices, Structural Embeddedness and Firm Productivity ', SLPTMD Working Paper Series 008 University of Oxford
Overview
Research
Teaching & Supervision
News
Publications
In the media