Emerging Innovation Ecosystem of China Pakistan Economic Corridor under One Belt One Road Initiative; Stakeholders Perspective

Abstract

The current study analyzed the emerging innovation ecosystem of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under One Belt One Road (OBOR). The purpose of this study was to analyze the inputs, processes, and outcomes of the CPEC innovation ecosystem. The mixed research method was applied to achieve the objective. A literature review of the CPEC and innovation ecosystem was used to build solid grounds. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 89 stakeholders (business managers, industrialists, academicians, researchers, and government officials) from different areas of Pakistan. Advanced text analytic and content analysis software along with mathematical procedures were further used to extract the anchors (stocks or fixed assets) and processes (changes related to various anchors, or stocks).  The innovation ecosystem of CPEC is based on six processes namely Chinese people's involvement, other countries' connectivity, project development, economic activities, trade enhancement, and industrial development. Upon the disruption of any process, this ecosystem would not sustain. The combination of these processes further generates a unique structure to lead CPEC as an innovation ecosystem. Therefore, such type of infrastructure development project is essential for the economic prosperity of this region which makes the CPEC a demand-driven project. So far, it is the first study conducted on CPEC as an innovation ecosystem by exploring the relationship between anchors and processes.