高校科研仪器共享平台赋能科技创新发展的现实困境和优化路径——基于扎根理论的案例研究

[Objective] University scientific research instrument-sharing platforms are vital for driving scientific and technological advancements. When resources such as research instruments and equipment are scarce, efficient allocation becomes more important than the sheer quantity of resources. However, university research instrument-sharing platforms in China face numerous administrative and operational challenges. [Methods] This study focuses on the Xi'an Jiaotong University Analysis and Testing Sharing Centre as the research subject. A model of asset specificity is constructed according to grounded theory to analyze the generation mechanism of challenges faced by university scientific research instrument-sharing platforms in promoting technological innovation. The study further explores these challenges and proposes optimization paths for enhancing the platform’s effectiveness. [Results] The study found that the dual nature of material asset specificity and domain knowledge specificity poses a significant challenge to the operation and management of university research instrument-sharing platforms. The material- and knowledge-specific investments made by the owners of research instruments and equipment, combined with the non-profit nature of the income generated from sharing these resources, prevent university research instrument-sharing platforms from establishing a balanced transaction model for shared services. Consequently, the lack of a compensation mechanism further reduces the owner’s willingness to open up and share their instruments and equipment. As a result of the knowledge-specific investments made by suppliers of scientific research equipment, universities have become “unilaterally dependent” on these suppliers for maintenance and repair services. Furthermore, the maintenance and repair services throughout the entire life cycle of the equipment have become “locked in,” leading to supplier monopolies and the potential for opportunistic behavior. This situation indirectly discourages university scientific research equipment-sharing platforms from opening up and sharing their resources. [Conclusions] First, it is crucial to actively explore innovative open-sharing models and investigate alternative market-oriented approaches for the operation of shared scientific research instruments and equipment. This will help compensate for operating costs and equipment wear caused by open sharing. Second, prioritizing the accumulation of tacit knowledge and empowering laboratory technicians through effective personnel incentive mechanisms is essential. This will promote the open sharing of scientific research instruments and equipment and contribute to the advancement of China’s scientific research instrument and equipment industry. Ultimately, to address the challenges posed by the “lock-in” of maintenance, it is essential to facilitate the market for maintaining research equipment and facilities through institutional arrangements in the short term. In the long term, however, it is crucial to prioritize the localization of research equipment and facilities, challenge the monopoly of foreign suppliers, and enhance China’s bargaining power in the trade of research resources. Overall, this approach will fundamentally transform the path toward the open sharing of research equipment and facilities, optimize the allocation of innovative resources, empower technological innovation, drive high-quality development, and advance China’s scientific and technological capabilities.