09-20-2014, 12:37 PM
(09-20-2014, 11:53 AM)thekid65 Wrote: Funny that quote in the picture coming from a Chinese person. They are some of the worst technology thieves/copiers in the world, along with India and South Korea.
That's true.
For a few decades, a number of Asian countries were masters at replicating products that had been researched and developed in other countries. In some cases, Japan, South Korea and China improved on the original product (usually electronic) then priced the replication below the creator-country's retail price to dominate the market.
It was a big focus when I was studying international business. IMO, it was a smart and viable business/economic strategy -- avoid the R&D cost, take advantage of lower labor costs, and make a killing. At the same time, those country's had harsher import barriers, so it was a one way street. Sometimes they pirated or illegally breached patent/copyright laws. But, many times they just lifted from US technology journals and white papers -- perfectly legal.
Japan's led the pack in terms of innovation when it comes to gaming technology, though they seem to have lost some of that edge in recent years (just from my observation -- I don't know that to be a fact). These days, when it comes to electronics and technology products, new features and upgrades are much quicker. What's new becomes old quickly.
I think that innovation (along with dominating old school manufacturing) is on the rise and a higher priority in Chinese businesses and schools. Jack Ma's a smart and charismatic entrepreneur -- he ain't the only one. I've read about a lot of other smart tech-savvy students and businesspeople in China. I think the Chinese politicians are wise to be negotiating with western governments to open more import markets in exchange for a broadening of their exports.
Anyway, I'm curious as to whether Alibaba soars into new markets or starts to fizzle.