Articles

The Concept, Evaluation Index System and Construction of the National Innovative City in China: Innovation Capacity Building through a Regional Innovation System

Hefa Song, Rongping Mu, Zhongbao Ren

Abstract

This paper investigates the concept, characteristics and evaluation index system of the innovative city, and brings forward phase and policy recommendations for national innovative city construction. It defines an innovative city as one in which the regional innovation system is sound, the innovation elements are agglomerated, the infrastructures and social culture can support innovation, the innovation efficiency is high, the innovation activity can acquire better benefits than other method, the supporting and leading functions of innovation to economic and social development are strong, and the innovation radiation and demonstration functioning ranges are wide. The paper constructs an evaluation index system consisting of 41 indicators. The paper deems it necessary for the government to select cities with good foundations to experiment with innovations in institutions, infrastructure construction, knowledge, technology, industry, and social factors. Cities should also have innovation clusters and regional innovation capacity building. The paper also addresses the necessity of supporting indigenous innovation capacity building, to test policies such as tax deduction and government procurement, and to enhance their evaluation. Experimental point cities are also needed in order to improve innovation and an entrepreneurial environment, and to solidly transfer industrial structure optimization and upgrading to indigenous innovation.

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