IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/scient/v126y2021i7d10.1007_s11192-021-04019-5.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The larger scientific and technological human scale, the better innovation effect? Evidence from key universities in China

Author

Listed:
  • Qinwei Cao

    (Wuhan University)

  • Peng Xie

    (Wuhan University)

  • Meng Jiao

    (Wuhan University)

  • Wanchun Duan

    (Yunnan University of Business Management)

Abstract

Does the growth of S&T human scale has demographic dividends analogous to that of economic growth? Inspired by the resource-based theory and able to use the panel data of Chinese key universities, we find that relying solely on the number of S&T personnel may not significantly boost the innovation effect in scientific research. Even though more S&T personnel can greatly raise the number of scientific research achievements (SRA), it’s more deeply relying on the increment of S&T service personnel rather than R&D personnel. Meanwhile, more S&T personnel and R&D personnel cannot enhance the quality of SRA, and basic research intensity does not play a mediating role between them. Moreover, no matter what type of S&T human scale cannot improve economic performance, and also, basic research intensity does not play a mediating role between them. The growing S&T human scale can heighten the social performance, while the increasing number of neither R&D personnel nor S&T service personnel in a single dimension will make social performance better, and basic research intensity does not play a mediating role between them as well. Finally, there’s significant heterogeneity on the relationship among diverse types, titles and positions of S&T personnel with different levels and types of performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Qinwei Cao & Peng Xie & Meng Jiao & Wanchun Duan, 2021. "The larger scientific and technological human scale, the better innovation effect? Evidence from key universities in China," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(7), pages 5623-5649, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:126:y:2021:i:7:d:10.1007_s11192-021-04019-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11192-021-04019-5
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11192-021-04019-5
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11192-021-04019-5?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Grilli, Luca & Murtinu, Samuele, 2018. "Selective subsidies, entrepreneurial founders' human capital, and access to R&D alliances," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(10), pages 1945-1963.
    2. Edward L. Glaeser & Gary S. Becker & Kevin M. Murphy, 1999. "Population and Economic Growth," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 89(2), pages 145-149, May.
    3. 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.
    4. Hong Gong & Shan Peng, 2018. "Effects of patent policy on innovation outputs and commercialization: evidence from universities in China," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 117(2), pages 687-703, November.
    5. Rong, Zhao & Wu, Xiaokai & Boeing, Philipp, 2017. "The effect of institutional ownership on firm innovation: Evidence from Chinese listed firms," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(9), pages 1533-1551.
    6. Bourke, Jane & Roper, Stephen, 2017. "Innovation, quality management and learning: Short-term and longer-term effects," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(8), pages 1505-1518.
    7. Hagedoorn, John & Cloodt, Myriam, 2003. "Measuring innovative performance: is there an advantage in using multiple indicators?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(8), pages 1365-1379, September.
    8. Walsh, John P. & Lee, You-Na, 2015. "The bureaucratization of science," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(8), pages 1584-1600.
    9. Bronwyn H. Hall & Albert N. Link & John T. Scott, 2003. "Universities as Research Partners," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 85(2), pages 485-491, May.
    10. Birger Wernerfelt, 1984. "A resource‐based view of the firm," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(2), pages 171-180, April.
    11. Scott L. Newbert, 2008. "Value, rareness, competitive advantage, and performance: a conceptual‐level empirical investigation of the resource‐based view of the firm," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(7), pages 745-768, July.
    12. Qinwei Cao, 2020. "Contradiction between input and output of Chinese scientific research: a multidimensional analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 123(1), pages 451-485, April.
    13. Jeffrey J. Reuer & Ramakrishna Devarakonda, 2017. "Partner Selection in R&D Collaborations: Effects of Affiliations with Venture Capitalists," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 28(3), pages 574-595, June.
    14. Jeffrey M Wooldridge, 2010. "Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 2, volume 1, number 0262232588, April.
    15. Lingfei Wu & Dashun Wang & James A. Evans, 2019. "Large teams develop and small teams disrupt science and technology," Nature, Nature, vol. 566(7744), pages 378-382, February.
    16. Auranen, Otto & Nieminen, Mika, 2010. "University research funding and publication performance--An international comparison," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 822-834, July.
    17. Prettner, Klaus & Werner, Katharina, 2016. "Why it pays off to pay us well: The impact of basic research on economic growth and welfare," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(5), pages 1075-1090.
    18. Patricia Pitcher & Anne D. Smith, 2001. "Top Management Team Heterogeneity: Personality, Power, and Proxies," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 12(1), pages 1-18, February.
    19. Mario Coccia, 2018. "Optimization in R&D intensity and tax on corporate profits for supporting labor productivity of nations," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 43(3), pages 792-814, June.
    20. Kianto, Aino & Sáenz, Josune & Aramburu, Nekane, 2017. "Knowledge-based human resource management practices, intellectual capital and innovation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 11-20.
    21. Teixeira, Aurora A.C. & Queirós, Anabela S.S., 2016. "Economic growth, human capital and structural change: A dynamic panel data analysis," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(8), pages 1636-1648.
    22. Danny Miller, 2003. "An asymmetry‐based view of advantage: towards an attainable sustainability," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(10), pages 961-976, October.
    23. Christine Oliver, 1997. "Sustainable competitive advantage: combining institutional and resource‐based views," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(9), pages 697-713, October.
    24. Zhu, Zuoyan & Gong, Xu, 2008. "Basic research: Its impact on China's future," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 30(3), pages 293-298.
    25. Dietz, James S. & Bozeman, Barry, 2005. "Academic careers, patents, and productivity: industry experience as scientific and technical human capital," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 349-367, April.
    26. Dziallas, Marisa & Blind, Knut, 2019. "Innovation indicators throughout the innovation process: An extensive literature analysis," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 80, pages 3-29.
    27. Jones, Charles I, 1995. "R&D-Based Models of Economic Growth," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 103(4), pages 759-784, August.
    28. Garcia Martinez, Marian & Zouaghi, Ferdaous & Sanchez Garcia, Mercedes, 2017. "Capturing value from alliance portfolio diversity: The mediating role of R&D human capital in high and low tech industries," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 55-67.
    29. Bogers, Marcel & Foss, Nicolai J. & Lyngsie, Jacob, 2018. "The “human side” of open innovation: The role of employee diversity in firm-level openness," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 218-231.
    30. Christian Fisch & Joern Block & Philipp Sandner, 2016. "Chinese university patents: quantity, quality, and the role of subsidy programs," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 41(1), pages 60-84, February.
    31. Shibayama, Sotaro & Baba, Yasunori & Walsh, John P., 2015. "Organizational design of University laboratories: Task allocation and lab performance in Japanese bioscience laboratories," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(3), pages 610-622.
    32. Guan, JianCheng & Yam, Richard C.M., 2015. "Effects of government financial incentives on firms’ innovation performance in China: Evidences from Beijing in the 1990s," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 273-282.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Meng, Qiaoyu & Li, Yi & Cao, Qinwei, 2024. "The paradox analysis and functional mechanism between R&D efficiency and transformation effect: Evidence from key universities in China," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    2. Qinwei Cao & Manqing Tan & Peng Xie & Jian Huang, 2022. "Can emerging economies take advantage of their population size to gain international academic recognition? Evidence from key universities in China," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(2), pages 927-957, February.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Cao, Qinwei & Qiu, Shunli & Huang, Jian, 2022. "Contradiction and mechanism analysis of science and technology input-output: Evidence from key universities in China," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    2. Qinwei Cao & Manqing Tan & Peng Xie & Jian Huang, 2022. "Can emerging economies take advantage of their population size to gain international academic recognition? Evidence from key universities in China," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(2), pages 927-957, February.
    3. 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.
    4. Meng, Qiaoyu & Li, Yi & Cao, Qinwei, 2024. "The paradox analysis and functional mechanism between R&D efficiency and transformation effect: Evidence from key universities in China," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    5. Cao, Qinwei & Li, Yi & Peng, Huatao, 2023. "From university basic research to firm innovation: diffusion mechanism and boundary conditions under a U-shaped relationship," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    6. Ren, Shenggang & He, Duojun & Yan, Ji & Zeng, Huixiang & Tan, Justin, 2022. "Environmental labeling certification and corporate environmental innovation: The moderating role of corporate ownership and local government intervention," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 556-571.
    7. Andrea Bonaccorsi & Luca Secondi & Enza Setteducati & Alessio Ancaiani, 2014. "Participation and commitment in third-party research funding: evidence from Italian Universities," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 39(2), pages 169-198, April.
    8. Barrena-Martínez, Jesús & Cricelli, Livio & Ferrándiz, Esther & Greco, Marco & Grimaldi, Michele, 2020. "Joint forces: Towards an integration of intellectual capital theory and the open innovation paradigm," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 261-270.
    9. Zhao, Shengchao & Zeng, Deming & Li, Jian & Feng, Ke & Wang, Yao, 2023. "Quantity or quality: The roles of technology and science convergence on firm innovation performance," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    10. Sandro Mendonca & Hugo Confraria & Manuel Mira Godinho, 2021. "Appropriating the returns of patent statistics: Take-up and development in the wake of Zvi Griliches," SPRU Working Paper Series 2021-07, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School.
    11. Duong, Phuong-Anh Nguyen & Voordeckers, Wim & Huybrechts, Jolien & Lambrechts, Frank, 2022. "On external knowledge sources and innovation performance: Family versus non-family firms," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    12. Nayak, Bishwajit & Bhattacharyya, Som Sekhar & Krishnamoorthy, Bala, 2022. "Exploring the black box of competitive advantage – An integrated bibliometric and chronological literature review approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 964-982.
    13. Lu, Feifei & Zhu, Zhu & Zhu, Lina & Gao, Hao, 2022. "Political tie hot potato: The contingent effect of China's anti-corruption policy on cash and innovation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(4).
    14. Perren, Lew, 2013. "Strategic discourses of ‘competitive advantage’: Comparing social representation of causation in academia and practice," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(3), pages 235-246.
    15. HoWook Shin & Seung-Hyun Lee, 2019. "Firm resource stock, resource complementarity, and the heterogeneity in resource value," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 36(3), pages 661-686, September.
    16. Shuman Zhang & Changhong Yuan & Chen Han, 2020. "Industry–university–research alliance portfolio size and firm performance: the contingent role of political connections," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(5), pages 1505-1534, October.
    17. Zhang, Yucheng & Hou, Zhongwei & Yang, Feifei & Yang, Miles M. & Wang, Zhiling, 2021. "Discovering the evolution of resource-based theory: Science mapping based on bibliometric analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 500-516.
    18. 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.
    19. Haeussler, Carolin & Sauermann, Henry, 2020. "Division of labor in collaborative knowledge production: The role of team size and interdisciplinarity," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(6).
    20. Yu, Nannan & Dong, Yueyan & de Jong, Martin, 2022. "A helping hand from the government? How public research funding affects academic output in less-prestigious universities in China," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(10).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:scient:v:126:y:2021:i:7:d:10.1007_s11192-021-04019-5. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.