In the Chinese electric vehicle industrial innovation, the focal firms, which are the key technological, manufacturing and business wise key players, are increasingly involved in the cross-industrial interactions. However, no studies have analysed how they interact across industrial boundaries as well as their consequences. The aim of this article is to explore the focal firms' cross industrial interactions in the Chinese EV industrial innovation. Relying on the concept of gatekeeping and using the firms' public information during 2009 and 2014, this study identified that the focal firms' interaction activities include information-gatekeeping, platform-providing, and benefit-gatekeeping. A framework of 'industrial gatekeeping' was developed. It highlights that the focal firms' gatekeeping in the Chinese EV industry settings are transforming: they do not only concern technological information but also firms' benefits. Furthermore, the framework extends the scope of gatekeeping to the cross industrial settings. Practical recommendations for industrial players and insights for policy-makers are provided.

KEY WORDS
industrial gatekeeping, cross-industrial interactions, gatekeeping transformation, EV industry, China

CLASSIFICATION

JEL:

L00