Technological upgrading in emerging economies: a comparative framework for Brazil and China (2001–2020)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5007/2177-5230.2026.e106846

Keywords:

Technological Upgrade, Economic Development, Brazil, China

Abstract

This paper proposes an approach to estimate and compare the performance of Brazil and China in terms of technological upgrading between 2001 and 2020. Both countries represent significant cases of industrialization in peripheral economies; however, their trajectories over the first two decades of the 21st century reveal notable differences in terms of economic dynamism and structural transformation. The methodology enables a comparative analysis of technological upgrading indicators, based on the theoretical assumptions and dimensions proposed by Radosevic and Yoruk (2015a, 2017): intensity of technological upgrading, scope of technological upgrading, and interaction with global technology. The results indicate that while both economies started the period with similar indicators, China demonstrated a superior performance across most of the components.

Author Biographies

Graciely Aquino de Oliveira, UFSCar

Economista.

José Eduardo Roselino, Departamento de Geografia

Professor Associado da Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar) e Programa de Pósg-radução em Economia PPGEc/UFSCar. Atua na área de Economia, com ênfase em Economia Industrial, Economia da Inovação, Economia Internacional e Desenvolvimento Econômico, principalmente acerca dos seguintes temas: política industrial e tecnológica, economia da tecnologia, internacionalização produtiva, e estratégias nacionais de desenvolvimento. 

Antonio Carlos Diegues, IE/Unicamp

Professor Associado do Instituto de Economia da Unicamp.

References

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Published

2026-08-20

Issue

Vol. 41 No. 96 (2026): Geosul

Section

Artigos

License

Licença Creative Commons
Este trabalho está licenciado com uma Licença Creative Commons - Atribuição 4.0 Internacional.