Abstract: “Hollowing out” of core technologies has long been the weakness and bottleneck restricting the upgrade and independent innovation of Chinese manufacture sector. Breaking this dilemma requires theoretical answers to inner structure (What) and breakthrough pattern of core technology. Based on the indepth longidtudinal analysis of Tsinghua-Lvkon’s AMT technology breakthrough from 2000 to 2016, this study finds core technologies’ evolution path as Function Core Technology – Performance Core Technology – Reliability Core Technology; and that the corresponding organization learning sequences evolve from Seeding to Seeding to Consulting and to Soloing. These findings deconstruct the inner structure of core technology “Black Box”, sheds light upon core technology breakthrough pattern based on leaning sequence perspective, brings catching-up research from macro motivation analysis to micro interaction mechanisms between technology structure and leanring sequences, and provides enlightment on upgrade of Chinese manufacture sector.

Key words: core technology, technology structure, learning sequence, automotive AMT, longitudinal case study