Independent Innovation Capacity of Chinese High-Tech Industries Using CRITIC and TOPSIS Methods

Abstract

Knowledge always constitutes the primary productive force for the social and economic development of the country, and consequently innovation has become a new development theme in most countries worldwide. Characterized by high profitability and high growth, Chinese high-tech industries show a rapid growth trend in size and effectiveness, which have been the supporting force and cornerstone for the national economy to promote the upgrading of products and industrial structures. In this study, a combination of Criteria Importance through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method was proposed to evaluate the innovation capacity of high-tech industries. A total of 25 three-level evaluation indicators were established to construct a high-tech industry innovation capacity indication system. The CRITIC method was used to calculate the weight of each indicator, and the TOPSIS method was used to make comprehensive decisions on the high-tech industries of 31 provinces in China. Results show that the development trends of high-tech industries vary greatly in the 31 provinces of China. The top five indicators are the rate-of renovation and reformation projects completed and put into use; the amount of investment in renovation and reformation; the rate of projects completed and put into use; the gross value of production and operation output at current prices; and the expenditure of large and medium-sized high-tech enterprises on technology reformation. These indicators are the critical factors affecting the ranking of high-tech industries at the provincial level. Guangdong ranks first, followed by Jiangsu and Zhejiang, sequentially. The differences in economic and geographical factors initially result in the regional distribution imbalance of high-tech industries, typically “the eastern preceding over the middle, and the middle preceding over the western.” Conclusions provide significantly valuable references in expanding the indication system for a comprehensive evaluation of the independent innovation capacity of high-tech enterprises, which also show valuable references in suggesting measures for the government and enterprises to improve the independent innovation capacity of high-tech enterprises