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A frequent choice for market entry to China is the international joint venture (IJV) with a Chinese partner. This is regarded as an adequate market entry if complex technological knowledge is to be transferred to the new location. However, IJVs also represent an easy way for local partners to absorb technological knowledge without authorization.
Michael Hoeck investigates the character and the degree of technology transfer into IJVs, using the example of German industrial firms in China. The two central questions that are investigated are "What factors influence the sophistication of the technological endowment that an IJV in China receives from its German parents?" and "In what way do strategic considerations regarding inter-firm cooperation and knowledge sharing influence the foreign investor´s technology transfer behaviour?".
The study results - derived from theoretical and empirical analysis - presents novel insights to both researchers and practitioners.

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Chapter I: Introduction.- 1. Description of the Research Topic.- 2. Literature Review and Research Question.- 3. Structure of the Thesis.- Chapter II: Literature Review.- 1. On Technology.- 2. Technological Leadership and International Market Entry.- 3. The International Joint Venture as a Channel for Technology Transfer.- 4. China as a Target Market for International Market Entry.- 5. Recapitulation.- Chapter III: Theoretical Considerations and Derivation of Hypotheses.- 1. Cooperation in IJVs and Technology Transfer from a Theoretical Perspective.- 2. Discussion of General Influence Factors.- Chapter IV: Empirical Study.- 1. Research Design.- 2. Empirical Research Results.- 3. Summary and Discussion of Results.- Chapter V: Conclusion.- 1. Research Limitations.- 2. Conclusion and Suggestions for further Research.- VI. References and Appendices.- 1. Reference List.- 2. Important Chinese Laws and Regulations.- 3. Appendices.

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Dr. Michael Hoeck holds a degree in economics from the University of Maastricht, The Netherlands and a doctorate in economics from RWTH Aachen University. In addition to his work as a management consultant, he is involved as an early-stage investor in technology start-ups.

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