XU Qingrui (Academician of CAE and Professor of Zhejiang University)

Construction innovation country has become the key target since 17th National Congress. Under the background of global technological competition, what are the main problems in constructing innovation country? And how should we keep a path of indigenous innovation with Chinese Characteristics?

At the very beginning, some misunderstanding on indigenous innovation should be re-recognized. There are two dimensions in it; that’s, in time series (Secondary Innovation, Portfolio Innovation and Total Innovation) and in levels (corporate level, industry level, regional level and national level).

Theoretical Issues on Path of Indigenous Innovation with Chinese Characteristics

In indigenous innovation, enterprises play the leading role, and integrate technology innovation, management innovation and system innovation through original innovation, integrated innovation, introduction-digestion-absorption- re-innovation and their integration to leverage innovation capability.

There are three innovative models of enterprises in the world, that’s, technology catching up, value chain ascension and disruptive innovation. In our country, indigenous innovation is also in dynamic changes. In creative imitation stage, the dominant innovation model is value chain ascension. In the beginning stage of indigenous innovation, the dominant innovation model is technology leapfrogging and disruptive innovation. And in the second stage of indigenous innovation, the dominant innovation model is technology leapfrogging.

Because of vast in territory, unbalanced regional development, difference of industrial layout and regional cultural diversity, indigenous innovation in China should be composed of 4 levels, that’s, enterprise innovation system, cluster innovation system, regional innovation system and national innovation system.

On level of enterprise innovation system— construction of innovative enterprises is the key approach to indigenous innovation path with Chinese Characteristics

Enterprises, as the main role of technology innovation, technology innovation investment and R&D, are also the subject of innovation interest distribution. Generally speaking, there are three paths in dynamic evolution of innovation mode in the world. Firstly, from technology R&D oriented to portfolio innovation and TIM. Secondly, from integrative innovation to portfolio innovation and TIM. Thirdly, from secondary innovation to portfolio innovation and TIM.

Within enterprises in China, there are 3 typical indigenous innovation paths, including Original Innovation- Portfolio Innovation- Total Innovation, Integrative Innovation- Portfolio Innovation- Total Innovation, as well as Secondary Innovation- Portfolio Innovation- Total Innovation, in which the third one is more typical and common. It follows that construction of innovative enterprises on the basis of open innovation is an important breach to insist indigenous innovation path with Chinese characteristics at present and in the future period.

On level of industry innovation system— research on approach, mechanism and mode of indigenous innovation in manufacturing industry

There are two main indigenous innovation paths of global production network.

First is global production network led by local enterprises and multinational enterprises. Global production network in this type mainly depends on upgrade and portfolio innovation of introduced technology. The second one is global production network led only by local enterprises. Local enterprises integrate overseas resources to develop innovation. In our country, the latter type is familiar.

On level of regional innovation system— system and mechanism in leveraging industrial innovation, regional innovation and cluster innovation capability

in regional innovation system in our country, basic innovation system excessively depends upon low-end resources; therefore, there are difficulties in chain collaborating innovation as well as leading innovation function of leading enterprises. In order to solve the problems, there suggestions should be put forward as follows.

First is to construct a multi-level, multi-element and open regional innovation system framework. Second is to exert the inner mechanism of open regional innovation system. Third is to construct a innovative service system in multi-level participation, multi-main part cooperation and multi-element integration.

On level of national innovation system—construction innovative country strategy with open innovation and total innovation oriented

In order to expedite construction of indigenous innovation with Chinese characteristics, there gives several suggestions from strategic level.

First is to make sure that indigenous innovation path and innovation strategy should be total innovation oriented. Second is to affirm the core status of industry, college and institute in national innovation system. Third is to construct mechanism and system of innovation technology to step up national scientific research strength. Fourth is to ensure related policies of indigenous talents, technology proprietary right and capital.

PS: this essay is collected from research result of Major Project sponsored by National Social Science Fund “Keep to the Path of Indigenous Innovation with Chinese Characteristics” (07&ZD022).

Translated by Lihua W