A Study On Correlation Between S&T Input And Output Of American Universities

Universities are the important bases of outstanding talents, scientific research and social service, and the main source and power of the innovation in S&T and knowledge, which is an essential part in national innovative system. Research and development(R&D)of universities has greatly accelerated the process of S&T innovation and knowledge-based economy in America. We analyze and study S&T input and output of American universities, which can benefit for rational distribution of science and technology resources, and can offer foundation for interactive S&T, education and economy.This paper has conducted the quantitative display and qualitative description of American universities'R&D activities from 1995 to 2005, by referring to the research method of S&T input and output system. Through analyzing S&T input and output of American universities, it is concluded that S&T input is proportion to S&T output, i.e. the greater the input, more output. We expect to get useful enlightenment through comparative study, distribute the science and technology resources of universities rationally, and make rational value judgment on optimization of S&T input and output. This conclusion is not enough for these. In order to analyze the impact and contribution S&T input makes on S&T output to a deep level, the paper selects seven key indicators from S&T input and output elements to explore quantitative relationship and set up correlated models. The interaction between S&T input and output of university is shown from the mathematical analysis perspective.From the correlative analysis and models of American universities'S&T input and output, we can learn that as for the contributions to the university scientific and technological achievements, S&T human resources especially doctoral scientists and engineers make more contributions to patents, technology transfer and marketability, however, the attention and influence on papers gradually die down. It shows that when American universities spread new knowledge and discovery, they lay more stress on applied value and economic benefits of scientific achievements. As for the contribution American universities'R&D expenditures make to the scientific achievements, basic research expenditures contribute more to university patents, patent licensing and license revenue than that the university applied research and development research expenditures do. It proves that American universities play a more and more important role in scientific and technological innovation, S&T achievements transformation and so on. By means of concluding and drawing on the experience of scientific research and knowledge-based economy of American universities, the paper offers such suggestions in accordance with the issues of scientific and technological development of Chinese universities: Increasing research and development investment of universities and colleges, perfecting the distribution policy of scientific and technological funds, and establishing rational and effective"input—output"operational mechanism; Accomplishing university tiered management structure, and bringing the accumulative effect of science and technology resources into play, strengthen the academic construction of typical or superior disciplinary and scientific research base; Promoting the cultivated capacity of academic science and technology manpower, increasing the science and technology talents reserves of universities, and actively promoting the organic integration of teaching, research, production and sales.