Combining Technology and Economics to Build an Entreprise-centred System for Technological Innovation
This article discusses various ways to strengthen the bond between technology and economy, and to enhance their integration in order to build an enterprise-centred system for technological innovation.
Combining technology and economics has long been an issue to be explored and resolved. It is the most pressing issue for science and technology after reforms and opening up. The technological system and the economic system pursue technological advancement in their respective domains like two parallel lines without an intersection. This has produced major problems and controversies, which lie in stark contrast with the development of the national economy. Looking at the internal structure of the technological system, it is clear that the lack of a competitive market mechanism has led to an absence of clear market-orientated research carried out in many tertiary institutions and research institutes in China. Technological indicators being a major driving force, many research achievements can be qualified as brilliant in terms of technical standards, but this does not show that the products are marketable or could be the basis for the creation of a new industry. For instance, many products attain a very high technical standard and can be qualified as outstanding, but are too costly to produce and therefore not competitive. Some may have a refined technical quality and standard, but being hand-made cannot be mass-produced and so cannot be marketed. Therefore it is necessary to emphasise the importance of an enterprise-centred system of technological innovation that combines production, study and research.
How, then, to build such a system? The author believes that several aspects should be stressed: first, policy-making: tax policy, monetary policy, government procurement policy and related policies in other areas. Second, support the creation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Third, establish an effective mechanism for transferring technology.
