The role of scientists in decision making process of research and development programs-Acasestudy of China&rsquo;s three key national science and technology programs

Science Research Management ›› 2014, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (5) : 118-127.

The role of scientists in decision making process of research and development programs-Acasestudy of China’s three key national science and technology programs

Zhi Qiang, Yang Ying

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Abstract

By studying the evolutionary role of scientists in the decision making process of three key National Science and Technology Programs: the Zhicheng Program, the 863 Program, and the 973 Programsin the past 30 years, we classify the role of the non-government scientists over time into six categories based on the dichotomyof political authority and scientific autonomy. We use quantitative metrics and qualitative cases to reveal the evolutionary role of scientists and its interaction with national science and technology strategy, and program outputs.Our study found out that theincremental changes in national strategic prioritiesinfluenced the institutional setting of scientists in decision-makingand led to a fast correspondenceby program outputs. However, this mayignores some long-term goals. Finally, this study suggests a few ways of improving the decision-making mechanismunder the circumstances of the innovation-driven strategy.

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National Science and Technology Programs / decision-making progress / scientists

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Zhi Qiang, Yang Ying. The role of scientists in decision making process of research and development programs-Acasestudy of China’s three key national science and technology programs[J]. Science Research Management. 2014, 35(5): 118-127

References

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