AN EMERGING NICHE FOR FIRMS IN WESTERN REGIONS OF CHINA IN THE PERIOD OF TRANSITION ECONOMY TO DEVELOP RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY: A PERSPECTIVE FROM INSTITUTIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Abstract

This paper explores the enabling role of institutional entrepreneurship in western regions of China in the context of transition economy. Considering the widely emerging concerns to develop environment friendly technologies and industries, which could contribute to the achievement of sustainable development both economically and ecologically, this paper proposes that western regions are standing in front of a great opportunity by stimulating development of the emerging renewable energy industry. In this process, institutional entrepreneurships under the massive institutional change, i.e, the Grand Western Development Program, could have the “path defining” effect through leveraging the emerging great niche and redirecting western regions to an innovative path instead of following the traditional resource-based development path.
Key words: Western Regions, China, transition economy, renewable energy industry, institutional entrepreneurship