Collaborative Governance for Technological Innovation: A Comparative Case Study of Wind Energy in Xinjiang, Shanghai, and Guangdong

Abstract

This paper examines relationships between collaborative governance and technological innovation. Collaborative governance is a key strategy for this form of innovation but remains underresearched. This paper explores how and to what extent collaborative governance can contribute to technological innovation by means of a case study of wind energy in China. Drawing on a comparative analysis of three provinces—Xinjiang, Shanghai, and Guangdong—the paper presents three major findings. Firstly, the three provinces reflect local variations in their models of government–industry–university collaboration. Xinjiang illustrates a hierarchical model, Shanghai's model is highly institutionalised, whereas Guangdong has adopted a market model. Secondly, the mechanisms for collaborative governance are conceptualised into three integral elements: resources (such as funds, personnel, and technological knowledge), structures (such as collaborative institutions and learning networks), and processes (such as resource pooling and learning). Thirdly, the Chinese model of collaborative governance for technological innovation shares some important characteristics with Western models but also exhibits some differences: the relatively limited role of public service organisations, a domestic market dominated by state-owned enterprises, the relatively inactive role of industrial associations, and an emergence of policy networks distinguish the Chinese models.