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University technology transfer in China: a literature review and taxonomy

Author

Listed:
  • Aihua Chen

    (Jiaxing University)

  • Donald Patton

    (University of California, Davis)

  • Martin Kenney

    (University of California, Davis)

Abstract

The Chinese university system is one of the world’s largest academic research performers and technology transfer is one of the system’s central roles. Academic interest in Chinese university technology transfer in both the West and China has increased in parallel. This review aims to outline what is known and evaluate the state of research about university technology transfer in China. To be comprehensive, uniquely this review considers the relevant journal articles in both English and Chinese languages. The major themes and methodologies used by authors are identified. The evolution of the literature, particularly those in Chinese from general discussions often with minimal citations to more empirically rigorous studies is documented. It is also shown that the English and Chinese language literatures have little overlap in terms of citations, thereby indicating that the two research communities are still largely disconnected. It is found that the sources of data have remained quite limited and the quantitative research is based almost entirely upon government statistics collected for administrative purpose. The concluding discussion suggests possible avenues for future progress in terms of developing new data sources and increasing the cross-fertilization of two research communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Aihua Chen & Donald Patton & Martin Kenney, 2016. "University technology transfer in China: a literature review and taxonomy," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 41(5), pages 891-929, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jtecht:v:41:y:2016:i:5:d:10.1007_s10961-016-9487-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10961-016-9487-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Yuzhuo Cai & Borja Ramis Ferrer & Jose Luis Martinez Lastra, 2019. "Building University-Industry Co-Innovation Networks in Transnational Innovation Ecosystems: Towards a Transdisciplinary Approach of Integrating Social Sciences and Artificial Intelligence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-23, August.
    4. Marcus Conlé & Henning Kroll & Cornelia Storz & Tobias ten Brink, 2023. "University satellite institutes as exogenous facilitators of technology transfer ecosystem development," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(1), pages 147-180, February.
    5. Qinghua Xia & Qinwei Cao & Manqing Tan, 2020. "Basic research intensity and diversified performance: the moderating role of government support intensity," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 125(1), pages 577-605, October.
    6. Dong, Guowei & Kokko, Ari & Zhou, Haoyong, 2022. "Innovation and export performance of emerging market enterprises: The roles of state and foreign ownership in China," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(6).
    7. Shen, Huijun & Coreynen, Wim & Huang, Can, 2022. "Exclusive licensing of university technology: The effects of university prestige, technology transfer offices, and academy-industry collaboration," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(1).
    8. Lei Ye & Ting Zhang & Xianzhong Cao & Senlin Hu & Gang Zeng, 2024. "Mapping the landscape of university technology flows in China using patent assignment data," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, December.
    9. Kroll, Henning & Frietsch, Rainer, 2022. "China's changing role in global science and innovation," Discussion Papers "Innovation Systems and Policy Analysis" 73, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI).
    10. Lian, Xiangpeng & Guo, Ying & Su, Jun, 2021. "Technology stocks: A study on the characteristics that help transfer public research to industry," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(10).
    11. Miao Wang & Danny Soetanto & Jianfeng Cai & Hina Munir, 2022. "Scientist or Entrepreneur? Identity centrality, university entrepreneurial mission, and academic entrepreneurial intention," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 47(1), pages 119-146, February.
    12. Li, Yang & Tang, Yujie, 2021. "A dynamic capabilities perspective on pro-market reforms and university technology transfer in a transition economy," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    13. Mwabukojo, Edson, 2020. "Technology Transfer Strategy: A Neglected Approach in Tanzania," MPRA Paper 100619, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 28 May 2020.
    14. Jiaming Jiang & Yu Zhao & Junshi Feng, 2022. "University–Industry Technology Transfer: Empirical Findings from Chinese Industrial Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-18, August.
    15. Liu, Zijun & Chen, Sheng & Tang, Tingting & Luo, Hang & Guan, Qinghao, 2024. "How public education investment and advanced human capital structure affect regional innovation: A spatial econometric analysis from the perspective of innovation value chain," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    16. Yindan Ye & Kevin De Moortel & Thomas Crispeels, 2020. "Network dynamics of Chinese university knowledge transfer," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(4), pages 1228-1254, August.
    17. Anh Nguyen Quoc & Minh Thang Le & Hiep-Hung Pham, 2021. "The Impact of the Third Mission on Teaching and Research Performance: Evidence From Academic Scholars in an Emerging Country," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(4), pages 21582440211, October.
    18. Lavoie, Joao Ricardo & Daim, Tugrul, 2020. "Towards the assessment of technology transfer capabilities: An action research-enhanced HDM model," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    19. Yongli Tang & Kazuyuki Motohashi & Xinyue Hu & Angeles Montoro-Sanchez, 2020. "University-industry interaction and product innovation performance of Guangdong manufacturing firms: the roles of regional proximity and research quality of universities," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(2), pages 578-618, April.
    20. Hua Cheng & Shiqian Huang & Yinhong Yu & Zhiying Zhang & Meifen Jiang, 2023. "The 2011 Collaborative Innovation Plan, University-Industry Collaboration and Achievement Transformation of Universities: Evidence from China," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 14(2), pages 1249-1274, June.
    21. De Moortel, Kevin & Crispeels, Thomas, 2018. "International university-university technology transfer: Strategic management framework," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 145-155.
    22. Hsu, David H. & Hsu, Po-Hsuan & Zhao, Qifeng, 2021. "Rich on paper? Chinese firms’ academic publications, patents, and market value," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(9).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    China; Universities; Technology transfer; University–industry linkages;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • O2 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy
    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights
    • P2 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies

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