R & D (Research and Duplicate) - Why don't we do it?

[ghosthunter]

Having read some national innovation systems paper, it was quite clear that what China is doing today (copying and reverse engineering technologies or "R & D") is not new. Japan, Korea and Taiwan did the same before they became an technological and economic powerhouse.

I know IPR regulations are stricter today but I also assume that Research and Duplicate is still possible.
Why are Filipinos not into this?
Are we too proud?
Are we too kind and generous not to copy someone else's work?

Are we afraid of criticisms of our own work (original or otherwise)?

I am just curious.

Honestly speaking, we do not have the equipment to reverse engineer and then mass produce modern stuff at competitive levels.

And why would a businessman would invest millions of pesos in a R&D laboratory and factory with a uncertain future when you can use the same money to import finished goods ready to sell into the local market?