Framings of innovation, responsibility, and responsible innovation in China: insights from a case study undertaken with Chinese businesses

Abstract

The discourse of RI has gained considerable international momentum in both academia and policy over the past decade. Originating in the West, RI has transduced across academic disciplines, policy spheres, and geographical boundaries. There are however very few empirical studies that have explored framings of innovation and responsibility in China and how these intersect with Western framings of RI. This paper attempts to address this gap by conducting an in-depth case study involving companies located in Changsha County, within the Chinese province of Hunan. Our findings suggest that extant framings of innovation and responsibility are underpinned by a mixture of logics and institutional entrenchments that are heavily influenced by the norms, policies, and ideology of the State. These in turn heuristically shape perceptions of RI. We close with some reflections on how these intersect and overlap with Western framings of RI and how they may influence RI’s transduction in China in the future.