Since its introduction, the theory of National Innovation System (NIS) has become an important theoretical basis for the Chinese government to formulate innovation policies, and has had a wide impact on China's scientific and technological economic development. However, NIS theory typically treats government as an actor alongside firms and universities. This perspective is insufficient for explaining the coordinating and organizational functions that the Chinese government has played in building the NIS. To address this limitation, this article argues that the Chinese government occupies two structural positions within the NIS. First, as architectural role (Type I), it operates outside the system to design rules and define the division of responsibilities. Second, as interventionist role (Type II), it enters the system to mobilize resources and correct operational deficiencies. By examining five stages in the development of China’s NIS, this study finds that the relative importance of these two roles has shifted dynamically in response to changing national objectives, and the two roles have evolved into a governance pattern characterized by a clear distinction between external design and internal intervention. Based on this experience, the article offers three contributions to the NIS literature. First, the role of government should transcend its conventional positioning as merely an institutional provider; second, the government’s role is closely intertwined with national objectives; and third, the governance of latecomer NIS requires a stronger emphasis on dynamic adaptability.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |