Xu Ning, Zha Tingjun, and Wei Zhiwen: The Theoretical Essence, Current Contradictions, and Implementation Pathways for Promoting the Deep Integration of Scientific and Technological Innovation with Industrial Innovation

Release time:2026-05-11Author: Xu Ning, Zha Tingjun, and Wei Zhiwen

Abstract: Scientific and technological innovation activities are characterized by a strong public nature; their outputs are typical public goods, exhibiting non-rivalry and externalities. Industrial innovation activities, however, are the exact opposite of scientific and technological innovation. Their primary actors are enterprises, and their core driving force is the pursuit of excess profits through innovation; they are characterized by extreme exclusivity and possess strong exclusionary features. The fundamental characteristics of "publicness" and "exclusivity" and the conflicts between them constitute a major obstacle to the integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation. In the process of promoting their integration, conflicts will arise at the actor level across multiple dimensions, including behavioral objectives, work priorities, risk preferences, outcome evaluations, and capability dimensions. The essence of driving the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation lies in guiding previously boundless and abstract scientific research activities according to the needs of building a modern industrial system, thereby forming a virtuous cycle of mutual promotion and mutual reinforcement; The fundamental approach is to resolve the contradiction between the public nature of scientific and technological innovation and the specialized nature of industrial innovation, thereby establishing a multi-dimensional, mutually reinforcing integration system. On the one hand, the traction provided by industrial demand is crucial for the integration of the two; on the other hand, it is necessary to establish an integrated system encompassing stakeholders, processes, factors, and mechanisms.