Technology transfer systems and modes of national research institutes: evidence from the Chinese academy of sciences

• Based on a case study of the CAS, we explore the TTSs and modes of NRIs and further clarifies their evolution and dynamics in the context of emerging economies. • We elucidate the formation and dynamic mechanisms of the multi-level TTS, which reveals the dynamic response of TTSs in support of the construction of NIS in emerging countries. • We elaborate the operational mechanisms of the multi-level TTS, which clarifies the inherent dynamics of the TTS's responses to technology transfer from NRIs. • We identify three technology transfer modes of the CAS, provide the evolutionary dynamics of these three modes, and explore the role of the multi-level TTS in the modes. Technology transfer systems (TTSs) and modes of national research institutes (NRIs) have become increasingly significant in shaping national innovation systems. However, few studies have addressed this issue in the context of emerging economies. To fill this research gap, this paper explores the TTSs and modes of Chinese NRIs based on a case study of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). We clarify the institutional factors that influence the adoption of an academy-branch-institute-level TTS, reveal the policy-driven evolvement of this multi-level TTS, and elucidate the operational mechanisms of the TTS. We find that the effective collaboration between the actors within or across the three levels of the TTS could enhance the functions of integration management, science and technology (S&T) resource allocation, and public research and development. Through a thematic synthesis approach, we identify three technology transfer modes of the CAS. These three modes exhibit an evolutionary sequence from the CAS-region cooperation mode to the incubation ecosystem mode and then to the platform-driven mode, following the progress of the Chinese S&T system reform and the repositioning of the CAS mission. These modes have diverse demands for technological cognition and resource allocation capability that can be satisfied by the co-specialised interaction among the three levels of the TTS. Apart from the theoretical implications for technology transfer studies, our findings provide managerial implications for guiding technology transfer from NRIs.