INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand corner and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. University Microfilms International A Ben & Howell information Company 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor. Ml48106-1346 USA 313 761-4700 800. 521-0600 Order Number 9605324 Mobile communications in China: An analysis of the diffusion p ro cess Wang, Xiao dong, Ph.D. The Ohio State University, 1994 UMI 300 N. Zeeb Rd. Ann Aibor. MI 48106 MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS IN CHINA: AN ANALYSIS OF THE DIFFUSION PROCESS DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Xiaodong Wang, B.S., M.A. * * * * ■* The Ohio State University 1994 Dissertation Committee: Approved by S.R. Acker T.A. McCain Adviser J.J. Pilotta Department of Communication Copyright by Xiaodong Wang 1994 To China and Corporate America ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I express sincere appreciation to my adviser Dr. Stephen R. Acker for his guidance, insight, and encouragement throughout the research. Thanks go to the other members of my advisory committee, Drs. Thomas A. McCain, Joseph J. Pilotta, and M. Eugene Gilliom, for their suggestions and comments. Gratitude is expressed to Mr. Li Zhigang and Ms. Li Mofang, Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications of China; Dr. Sun Lin, US. ComStream Corp.; and Mr. Zhang Xingsheng, LM Ericsson International AB, as well as other Chinese interviewees in my fieldwork in Beijing, for their support and inspiration. To my parents, Li Feng and Wang Jian, I offer sincere thanks for your unshakable faith in my obtaining a US. doctoral degree. To my sisters, Xiaochun and Xiaofeng, I thank you for your strong backing to my endeavors. VITA November 5, 1 9 5 4 ............................. Born - Beijing, China 1979 ...................................................... B.S., Inner-Mongolia Normal University, Huhehaote, China 1979-1981 ........................................... Physics Teacher Huhehaote 2nd High School, Huhehaote, China 1985 .................................................... M.L., Beijing Broadcasting Institute, Beijing, China 1985-1987 .......................................... Editor, Beijing Broadcasting Institute, Beijing, China 1987-Present ..................................... Graduate Associate, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA PUBLICATIONS HDTV: Future Applications, future policy tools, (1992). In the Proceedings of the Symposium on Collaborative Strategies for Developing Telecommunications Networks. Columbus, OH: The Center for the Advanced Study in Telecommunications. (Co-authors: S. R. Acker & S. Bakhshi) User assessments of stereophonic, high bandwidth audioconferencing. (1991). In ITCA Teleconferencing Yearbook 1991 (Compiled by Steinfield, C. W., & Ehlers, T. S.). Washington, DC: International Teleconferencing Association. (Co-authors: S. R. Acker & S. Bakhshi) FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Communication Studies in: Telecommunications Technology, Market, and Policy -- S. Acker, T. McCain, J. Foley Critical/Cultural Studies — J. Pilotta i v TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION i i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.............................................................................................. i i i VITA ................................................................................................................................. i v LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................ v i i LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................... v i i i CHAPTER PAGE I. A PROBLEM STATEMENT AND LITERATURE REVIEW 1 Introduction .......................................................................... 1 Rationale for the Study ....................................................... 3 Relevant Theory .................................................................... 7 Mobile Communications (MC) ....................................... 12 China Today and Its Telecommunications ........................ 21 Social Change and Technology Transfer ....................... 32 Research Questions ............................................................ 39 II. METHODOLOGY ............................................................................ 40 Data-Collection Methods .................................................... 40 Personal interviews ................................................ 41 Document analysis .................................................. 34 Result Presentation ............................................................ 3b Technology Assessment ....................... 38 III. FINDINGS ..................................................................................... 63 MC Systems Mainly Diffused in China ........................ 63 Key Time Points in the Diffusion of MC ......................... 7 1 Institutions Involved in the D iffusion................................ 77 Categories of Chinese Adopters .................................... 84 Driving Forces in the Diffusion .................................... 87 Unique Features of the Diffusion in China ................... 91 Stakeholders' Concerns in the Diffusion ..................... 96 v CHAPTER PAGE IV. ANALYSIS .......................................................................................... 104 Explanations for Difference among the Respondents .. 104 Problem Definition ............................................................... I l l Technology Description and Forecast .............................. 112 Social Description and Forecast ........................................ 113 Current Policy Environment and Institutional Changes . 11K Impact Identification/Analysis/Evaluation ........................ 125 Technology impact .................................................. 125 Economic impact ............................................... 127 Social impact ........................................................... 12S Political impact ....................................................... 130 Legal impact ............................................................. 131 Environment impact ............................................. 132 Psychological impact .............................................. 132 Policy impact .......................................................... 133 Policy Analysis .................................................................... 137 V. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION ................................................. 140 Summary ................................................................................. 140 Relation to Diffusion Literature .......................................... 145 Limitations .............................................................................. 14N Directions for Future Research ........................................... 149 Conclusion .............................................................................. 150 APPENDIXES ......................................................................................................... 151 A. Profile of Mainland China ................................................................. 151 B. Profile of China's Telecommunications ....................................... 152 C. Multinationals in China’s Telecommunications Market ................ 154 D. List of the Chinese Official Interviewees ........................................ 155 E. Questions Asked in Beijing ............................................................... 157 LIST OF REFERENCES ...................................................................................... 163 v i LIST OF TABLES TABLES PAGE 1. An Example of My "Quasi-Field-Test" ........................................ 53 2. A Blank Tabular Example for Result Presentation ...................... 57 3. Stages and Techniques of A Technology Assessment 62 4. Types of Main Mobile Communications (MC) Systems in China 64 5. Development of Cellular Phones in China's Public Network . 66 6. Development of Pagers in China's Public Network .......... 68 7. Timelines of the Diffusion of MC Technologies in China .... 71 8. Development of China's Radio Facilities Since the 1970s .... 74 9. Main Institutions Involved in China’s MC Diffusion