Growth Scale Optimization of Discrete Innovation Population Systems with Multichoice Goal Programming

How are limited resources efficiently allocated among different innovation populations? The performances of different innovation populations are quite different with either synergy or competition between them. If the innovation population is kept under an appropriate scale, full use can be made of the allocated resources. The maximization of the development and performance for a certain scale of innovation population is a typical multichoice development problem. Therefore, the scale optimization of the innovation population should be analyzed. According to the population dynamics, a resource constraint model for the growth of innovation population is developed, and the growth of innovation population under resource constraints is in equilibrium accordingly. With the help of a multichoice goal programming model, the scale optimization of innovation population performance can be obtained. The results of the resource constraint model and multichoice goal programming model are used to determine the optimal scale of the innovation population. From the panel data of the innovation population in Jiangsu Province from 2000 to 2017, we have found that R&D investment was the main innovation resource variable and that patent number was the main innovation output variable. Based on these data, the scale optimization of the innovation population under resource constraints can be calculated. The results of the study show that, in the observation period, the enterprise innovation population is often in the appropriate scale state. The scale development of enterprise innovation population is often more suitable for innovation ecosystem than that of scientific research institutions. According to these results, the government can provide appropriate guiding policies and incentives for different innovation populations. The innovative population can adjust its own development strategy and plan in time accordingly.