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Chinese model of transdisciplinary research: An exploration based on the grounded theory
Wang Xiaoling, Guo Jiahui, Wei Jiameng
2025, 46(10 ):
50-59.
DOI: 10.19571/j.cnki.1000-2995.2025.10.006
Transdisciplinary research serves as a crucial pathway for China to address Western technological blockades, achieve breakthroughs in key core technologies, and cultivate new productive forces. An in-depth analysis of China′s transdisciplinary research model helps advance the construction of China′s independent knowledge system, contributes Chinese wisdom to transdisciplinary research, and provides theoretical support for scientific and technological innovation. This study analysed the policy documents from major scientific and technological innovation programs (including the "863 Program", "973 Program", "2011 Plan", and "National Key Research and Development Plan"), along with the first-hand interview data from three major scientific research projects (100,000 m3/h air separation compressor, large full-section tunnelling equipment, and carbon fibre composite material cutting equipment), comprising approximately 400,000 words of textual data. Using the grounded theory analysis and typological construction methods, the study revealed three Chinese models of transdisciplinary research: (1) the government-led tracking development model, which aims to track international frontiers through government-led organized research and implements innovation through introduction, digestion, absorption, and re-innovation; (2) the exploratory demand-oriented independent innovation model, which focuses on independent innovation to address major needs through enterprise-centred industry-university-research cooperation and primarily utilizes integrated innovation; and (3) the multi-stakeholder consultative collaborative innovation model, which pursues comprehensive innovation in science, technology, and talent through multi-stakeholder consultation and dialogue, employing both integrated and original innovation approaches. Based on the characteristics and value of these three models, the study has proposed establishing a classified management system to leverage the advantages of each model and it will provide targeted management recommendations for governments, universities, research institutes, and enterprises to address specific challenges within different models.
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