The internationalization of science parks in China from a realist international relations perspective

Abstract Science parks have been an integral component of the open national innovation system (ONIS). However, science park internationalization as an important yet neglected mechanism of international innovation cooperation is poorly understood. There has been limited understanding of the political dynamics in the international system that affect the nature and process of ‘opening’. This paper fills the gap by exploring the factors affecting internationalization of science parks from a realist perspective of international relations against the background of ONIS, based on case studies on China’s science parks. The results support our propositions that political interference in both China as the rising power and the dominant power (USA) has been a major factor affecting performance of science park internationalization when the process of ‘opening’ is intertwined with the strategic interests of the state on both sides. Findings from the study suggest the reconfiguration of ONIS in geopolitical context with significant policy implications.