Complex Product System Innovation Process Research

This paper analyses the innovation processes of complex product system (CoPS) in Chinese firms. First, the importance of CoPS and the problems China being confronted with in this field are pointed out. Based on the research on technological innovation and CoPS by scholars at home and abroad, the definition and the scope of CoPS are introduced. The relationship and the distinction between CoPS and classical technological innovation theories are figured out. By the integration of the progresses and defects of previous international research on technological innovation of CoPS, a new framework, which combines the flow of innovation and the innovation system together, of innovation process model for CoPS is established. According to that framework, the innovation process of CoPS is elaborated on by three cases of watercraft of Jiangnan Shipyard, distributed control system (DCS) of SUPCQN and security exchange software system of Singlee Software. From the studies on those three cases, the innovation process models of traditional heavy industry, new industry and software industry are abstracted respectively. The elements in the models are also analyzed in-depth. At the end of this paper, the common principle of technological innovation of CoPS is summarized. The different characters of the innovation processes of three CoPS industries are compared. Technological innovation of CoPS is an urgent issue for Chinese firms. The research of this paper and the models brought forward provide Chinese firms some referential principles to implement effective management on technological innovation of CoPS.