Measurement on the policy diffusion: evidence from China’s policy documents

ABSTRACT

By utilising policy reference network analysis and keyword timing analysis, this paper proposes a framework for measuring policy diffusion, which can delineate research focus, measurement indicators, and methods of science and technology policy diffusion from four dimensions: intensity, breadth, speed, and direction. Based on the framework, this paper collects and categorises China’s policies on technology transfer and commercialisation from 1985 to 2017, and conducts quantitative research on the diffusion process and characteristics of those polices from the previously mentioned four dimensions, which enables us to investigate the diffusion law of knowledge, information, and experience among those policies. The paper can provide data support on the choice of policy type for subsequent specific policy formulation by exploring the characteristics of different types of policy diffusion.

KEYWORDS:

• Measurement framework
• policy diffusion
• policy document
• China

Acknowledgements

We thank for the suggestions and effort of the experts and editors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The paper was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant numbers: 72074239, 72074023 and L1924079], the First-class Discipline Construction Project of Central University of Finance and Economics [grant number: CUFE2018-005], and Science and Technology Project of Beijing [grant number: Z181100004118003].

Notes on contributors

Jian Zhang

Jian Zhang is Associate Professor of School of Government, Central University of Finance and Economics. His current research focuses on policy measurement, S&T policy and innovation management.

Jun Su

Jun Su is Professor of the School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, and was a Senior Visiting Scholar at the Kennedy School, Harvard University. His current research focuses on S&T innovation and public policy, renewable energy technology innovation policy, and high education policy.

Cui Huang

Cui Huang is Professor of School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, and was a Visiting Scholar of Cambridge University. Her current research focuses on policy quantitive analysis, policy measurement.

Xuanting Ye

Xuanting Ye is Associate Professor of School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, and was a Visiting Scholar at the School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology. His current research focuses on S&T policy, and technology innovation management.