Abstract:  Exploring the independent innovation capability of SMEs from the perspective of RJVs can promote the transformation and upgrading of SMEs in China. Referencing the theoretical study on the Self-innovation ability of RJVs in SMEs, the paper constructs the self-innovation ability evaluation index system of RJVs in SMEs. The evaluation index system includes five aspects: company strategy, R&D capability, organizational management capability, RJVs collaboration, government support and innovation performance. Using SPSS20 and AMOS20 to establish the structural equation model, the paper empirically analyses the factors of influencing the self-innovation ability of RJVs in SMEs in China. The results show: (1) the path coefficient of corporate strategy to innovation performance is 0.14. The support path coefficient of top management to independent innovation of RJVs is 0.617, which has great influence on company strategy. The path coefficient of leadership's attention to the development of new technology in the industry is 0.956, which has a great impact on the company's strategy; (2) the path coefficient of R&D capability to innovation performance is 0.08. Patent and technology reserve path coefficient of the company is 0.981, which has a great impact on R&D capability. The path coefficient of R&D level and experience of R&D personnel is 0.603, which has a great impact on R&D capability; (3) the path coefficient of organizational management ability to innovation performance is 0.10. The path coefficient of core R&D personnel to top managers is 0.988, which has a great impact on organizational management ability. The path coefficient of rational allocation of innovation input is 0.723, which has a great impact on organizational management ability; (4) the path coefficient of RJVs collaboration to innovation performance is 0.15. The path coefficient of financial services provided by banks is 0.521, which has an impact on RJVs cooperation. The path coefficient of sincerity among partners is 0.862, which has a great impact on RJVs cooperation. The path coefficient of resource sharing among partners is 0.709, which has a great impact on RJVs collaboration; (5) the path coefficient of government support to innovation performance is 0.14. The path coefficient of the government's preferential tax policy for SMEs innovation is 0.859, which has a great impact on the government's support. The path coefficient of government subsidies and incentives for SMEs independent innovation is 0.719, which has a great impact on government support; (6) the path coefficient of government support to RJVs collaboration is 0.26, which indicates that government support promotes RJVs collaboration of SMEs. The path coefficient of RJVs collaboration to corporate strategy is 0.16, which indicates that RJVs assistance is helpful to the formulation of corporate strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises. The path coefficient of RJVs collaboration to the R&D capability of SMEs is 0.09, which indicates that RJVs collaboration can help SMEs to improve their R&D capability. The empirical results of structural equation model show that corporate strategy, R&D capability, organizational management capability, RJVs collaboration, government support and innovation performance are interactive dynamic processes; and (7) RJVs collaboration, corporate strategy and government support have a greater impact than organizational management capability and R&D capability, among which RJVs collaboration has the highest impact. The improvement of independent innovation capability of RJVs in SMEs is a gradual process. Based on the empirical analysis of the influencing factors, the paper can design specific promotion paths to promote the continuous improvement of independent innovation ability of SMEs in China. The paper constructs a path model of the self-innovation ability of RJVs in SMEs from three levels: technology, collaboration and region. (1)The first is the technological path, and the path model clarifies that follow innovation is carried out through contractual cooperation in the early stage of development. The model follows the principle of “following innovation - Integrated Innovation - original innovation”. Following innovation is also called introduction, digestion, absorption and re-innovation. At the early stage of development, the member enterprises of RJVs in SMEs mostly adopt this form. Innovation mostly concentrates on product and process level, and Cooperative technology is often just general technology, not key technology and core technology. The independent innovation ability of RJVs in SMEs is at the initial stage, which is affected by the development level of R&D ability, organizational management ability and RJVs collaboration. Integrative innovation is essentially the intersection and integration of innovation elements, and promotes technological innovation to a new height. The innovation of RJVs in SMEs is mainly embodied in the industrial level. The member enterprises can access key technologies and realize the rational allocation. The independent innovation capability of RJVs in SMEs is at the stage of development. Primitive innovation is the most fundamental innovation. It is an unprecedented discovery or invention of science and technology. SMEs have achieved comprehensive innovation in product, process, industrial chain and industrial layout, and their independent innovation ability is in the mature stage of development. (2) The second is the collaborative path, and integrated innovation is carried out through team cooperation in the middle of the development. The model follows the principle of the “contract-team-strategy”. Contractual cooperation is the initial state of RJVs in SMEs, which aims to win the advantages of low cost and differentiation. To achieve the goal of cooperation through contracting, the independent innovation capability of RJVs in SMEs is in the initial stage. Teamwork is formed in the process of deepening the relationship and knowledge sharing among member enterprises. The independent innovation capability of RJVs in SMEs has entered the stage of development. Strategic cooperation is the most trusted mode. It can realize long-term win-win on the basis of establishing common interests, and the independent innovation capability of RJVs in SMEs is at a mature stage. (3) The third is the regional path, and the original innovation is carried out through strategic cooperation in the global development stage. The model follows the principle of the “random cooperation - cluster cooperation - network cooperation”. In the mature stage of independent innovation capability, member enterprises of RJVs in SMEs are no longer limited by region, and develop strategic cooperation nationwide or even globally. The main innovation form of this stage is to pay more attention to the original innovation of core technology.

Key words: self-innovation ability of SME, RJV, influence factor, promoting path