Title: New trends in innovation strategy at Chinese universities in Hong Kong and Shenzhen

Authors: Naubahar Sharif; Hei-Hang Hayes Tang

Addresses: Division of Social Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Room 3372, Academic Building, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong ' School of Professional and Continuing Education, The University of Hong Kong, Room 602B, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong

Abstract: This paper assesses collaborative innovation activity undertaken by universities in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China. The theoretical background references the systems of innovation approach and the triple helix model of university-industry-government interaction. The paper reviews Hong Kong's tertiary education system and the role of science and technology development in Shenzhen and Mainland China. Focusing on knowledge transfer between university research facilities, research institutes, industry, and government, the paper profiles key collaborative innovation programmes and documents an emerging trend in innovation strategy that utilises innovation collaboration to spawn startup businesses in China. Although we find no definite pattern of university-industry-government collaboration, we identify a range of specific competitive advantages associated with each of Hong Kong's universities that drive their innovation-related collaboration with institutions and firms in other sectors.

Keywords: innovation strategy; university cooperation; Hong Kong; Shenzhen; China; Chinese universities; collaborative innovation; systems of innovation; triple helix model; higher education; science and technology development; knowledge transfer; university research facilities; research institutes; industry; industrial collaboration; government collaboration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2014.060951

International Journal of Technology Management, 2014 Vol.65 No.1/2/3/4, pp.300 - 318

Received: 03 Jul 2012
Accepted: 06 Jul 2013
Published online: 30 Jun 2014 *

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