Comparative Studies on National Innovation Systems of America and China.

This paper conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis on the national innovation systems (NIS) of America and China. Quantitative analysis demonstrates that in a mature economy like America innovative performance is chiefly triggered by knowledge accumulation, external openness, and industrial sophistication. On the contrary, in an emerging economy like China, innovative performance is chiefly triggered by R&D investments and bureaucratic efficiency. To conclude, innovative inputs, innovation infrastructure and government policies all contribute to innovative performances of both countries, though in different modes of influence. The research findings demonstrate distinctive national innovation paths followed by America and China. For America it has long been well-selected government policies targeted at the general innovation environment that is conducive to long-term knowledge accumulation and industrial sophistication. For China it has long been well-executed government policies supporting specific industries and selected enterprises, plus grand public investments in R&D activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]