Books by Xiaolan (University of Oxford) Fu

Investigating the nature, drivers and sources of innovation in Africa, this book examines the channels for effective diffusion of innovation in and to Africa under institutional, resource and affordability constraints. Fu draws on almost a decade of research on innovation in Africa to explore these issues and unpack the process, combining a rigorous statistical analysis of a purposely designed multi-wave, multi-country survey with in-depth studies of representative cases. Building on this research, Fu argues that African firms are innovative but unsupported. Those 'under-the-radar' innovations that widely exist in Africa as a result of the constraints are not sufficient to enable Africa to leapfrog the innovation gap in the era of the fourth Industrial Revolution. This is the first comprehensive analysis of the creation and diffusion of innovation in low income countries. It also provides the first survey-based analysis of innovation in the informal economy.

Combining quantitative and qualitative research, this is a rigorous study of how China can sustain its rapid economic growth and development by strengthening its indigenous innovative capability. Using large panel datasets and in-depth industry case studies, it examines the motivations, sources, obstacles and consequences of China's innovation and technological upgrading.