Project

The intermediary roles of Science and Technology Backyards (STBs) in local agriculture innovation systems in China

Environmental and resources degradation caused by agricultural production calls for a more sustainable production model in Chinese agriculture. A national plan called Agricultural Green Development (AGD) was launched in 2017 to promote a transition towards sustainable agricultural production. Specific targets are set and guide the interventions to promote the sustainability transition. System innovations are required as well, with more systematic innovation intermediaries playing a broader role in the agricultural system rather than only technology transfer.

China Agricultural University (CAU) has introduced a new model called Science and Technology Backyards (STBs) in 2009 that tries to support the local innovation system by reinforcing relational embeddedness within broader innovation networks. The available literature shows that STBs play significant roles in technology transfer and improving productivity. However, whether STBs play a broader intermediary role and whether and how STBs contribute to AGD is unclear. This study's objective is to obtain an improved understanding of how STBs function as innovation intermediaries and whether and how they contribute to promoting AGD in rural China. Missions-oriented innovation systems (MIS) and innovation intermediaries and their functions are the prime focus in the conceptual framework.  

Aim

This research aims to obtain an improved understanding of how STBs function as innovation intermediaries and whether and how they contribute to promoting AGD in rural China.

Approach

Case study is the main approach in this study. We choose two typical STBs as our focal lens to understand their roles in promoting AGD. Available policy documents, STB diaries (daily work recording documents of STB), and interviews with STB staff will be used to answer the research questions, using content analysis to analyse the qualitative data and multiple regression model for quantitative data analysis.

Reference

  1. Li J, Leeuwis C, Heerink N and Zhang W 2022 THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BACKYARD AS A LOCAL LEVEL INNOVATION INTERMEDIARY IN RURAL CHINA Front. Agric. Sci. Eng. 0

Future research

  1. Missions-oriented policy interventions change from 1981-2021 in response to emerging environmental degradation in China.
  2. Expanding innovation intermediary roles of STB from community level to local level
  3. Technology vs systems innovation thinking and intermediation roles of STB     This information on 1 page A4