Lili Wang is an Associate Professor of Emerging Technologies at UNU-MERIT and also a guest professor at Dalian University of Technology, P.R.China. She obtained her PhD degree from Eindhoven University of Technology (Department of Technology Management, currently known as Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences) and joined UNU-MERIT in September 2008. She has been coordinating various research projects funded by the European Commission, Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, etc. She is currently leading one of the “Comprehensive Innovation for Sustainable Development” teams, i.e. Managing new technologies towards inclusive societies.

To address challenges in the 4th industrial revolution, it is important to understand the development of new technologies and to support the transition of existing structures into the sustainable development system. Managing new technologies is an important strategy not only for advanced countries, but also for developing countries. In the past years, Lili Wang has conducted research on new technologies in various domains, such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, solar energy technology, 3D printing technology, digitalisation and AI technology. Her work has been widely published in top peer-reviewed journals, such as Research Policy, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), Regional Studies, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, Journal of Informetrics, Industrial and Corporate Change, Journal of Technology Transfer, Oxford Development Studies, Scientometrics, China Economic Review, Research Evaluation, etc.

Her recent research focuses on Managing New Technologies, digitalisation and society, including but not limited to the following research lines:

• Economics of science, technology and innovation. To conduct in-depth studies related to science, technology and innovation, Lili actively applies various methods (e.g. Innovation system approach, Scientometrics and Informetrics) and uses Big Data (e.g. publication and patent data) to gain in-depth understanding on the development of innovation and new technology. 

• Application of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies. In this research line, Lili studies the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in various fields, e.g. media and communications industry as well as agricultural sectors.

• Emerging technologies and sustainability. This includes research related to renewable technology, e-mobility transition, environmental burden shifting, etc.

• Responsible S&T and societal relevance. This includes studies on societal relevance in the context of scientific research and technological adoption in developing countries, and the alignment between S&T priorities and societal need.

Lili is currently leading one of the Comprehensive Innovation for Sustainable Development (CI4SD) projects - Managing new technologies towards inclusive societies. 

Lili’s journal publications can be found via ORCID, ResearchGate and GoogleScholar:

ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0082-8487

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lili-Wang-91

GoogleScholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=_Z_7l2UAAAAJ&hl

Contact email: l.wang@maastrichtuniversity.nl  or  wang@merit.unu.edu

	Selected publications by Lili Wang
Articles (journal, professional, popular)
Wu, Lichao, Lili Wang, Niels J. Philipsen & Xinyi Fang, 2024, The impact of eco-innovation on environmental performance in different regional settings: new evidence from Chinese cities, Environment, Development and Sustainability, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-04280-z, More information
Piro, Fredrik, Marco Seeber & Lili Wang, 2024, Regional and sectoral variations in the ability to attract funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Program and Horizon 2020, Scientometrics, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-024-04942-3, More information
Zhao, Wenjing, Lin Zhang, Junling Wang & Lili Wang, 2024, How has academia responded to the urgent needs created by COVID-19?: A multi-level global, regional and national analysis, Journal of Information Science, DOI: 10.1177/01655515221084646, More information
Wu, Lichao, Lili Wang & Lan Lin, 2023, Learn to be green: FDI spillover effects on eco-innovation in China, Industrial and Corporate Change, 32(5): 1192-1216, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/icc/dtad047, More information
Guangyao, Zhang, Furong Shang, Lili Wang, Weixi Xie, Pengfei Jia, Chunlin Jiang & Xianwen Wang, 2023, Is peer review duration shorter for attractive manuscripts?, Journal of Information Science, onlinefirst: 1-13, DOI: 10.1177/0165551523117438, More information
Prates, Luisa, Daniel Karthe, Lulu Zhang, Lili Wang, Jack O'Connor, Halim Lee & Christina Dornack, 2023, Sustainability for all? The challenges of predicting and managing the potential risks of end-of-life electric vehicles and their batteries in the Global South, Environmental Earth Sciences, 82: 143-, DOI: 10.1007/s12665-023-10806-5, More information
Bodas Freitas, Isabel, Jojo Jacob, Lili Wang & Zibiao Li, 2023, Energy use and exporting: an analysis of Chinese firms, Journal of Evolutionary Economics, 33: 179-207, DOI: 10.1007/s00191-022-00796-1, More information
Zhao, Wenjing, Lili Wang & Lin Zhang, 2022, How does academia respond to the burden of infectious and parasitic disease?, Health Research Policy and Systems, 20(89), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-022-00889-0, More information
Wu, Lichao, Yanpeng Jiang, Lili Wang & Xinhao Qiao, 2022, The two faces of urbanisation and productivity: Enhance or inhibit? New evidence from Chinese firm-level data, Asian-Pacific Economic Literature, 36(1): 126-142, DOI: doi.org/10.1111/apel.12352, More information
Wang, Lili & Zexia Li, 2021, Knowledge flows from public science to industrial technologies, Journal of Technology Transfer, 46(4): 1232-1255, DOI: 10.1007/s10961-019-09738-9, More information
Wang, Lili, Xianwen Wang, Fredrik Piro & Niels J. Philipsen, 2020, The effect of competitive public funding on scientific output: A comparison between China and the EU, Research Evaluation, 29(4): 418-429, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/reseval/rvaa023, More information
Wang, Lili, Shan Jiang & Shiyun Zhang, 2020, Mapping technological trajectories and exploring knowledge sources: A case study of 3D printing technologies, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 161: 120251-, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120251, More information
Confraria, Hugo & Lili Wang, 2020, Medical research versus disease burden in Africa, Research Policy, 49(3): 103916-, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2019.103916, More information
Scarazzati, Stefano & Lili Wang, 2019, The effect of collaborations on scientific research output: the case of nanoscience in Chinese regions, Scientometrics, 121(2): 839-868, DOI: 10.1007/s11192-019-03220-x, More information
Wang, Lili, Fang Chen & Mark Knell, 2019, Patterns of technology upgrading – the case of biotechnology in China, Asian Journal of Technology Innovation, 27(2): 152-171, DOI: 10.1080/19761597.2019.1641417, More information
Wang, Lili, Jojo Jacob & Zibiao Li, 2019, Exploring the spatial dimensions of nanotechnology development in China: the effects of funding and spillovers, Regional Studies, 53(2): 245-260, DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2018.1457216, More information
Wang, Lili & Zexia Li, 2018, Knowledge transfer from science to technology: the case of nano medical device technologies, Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 3:11, DOI: 10.3389/frma.2018.00011, More information
Guns, Raf & Lili Wang, 2017, Detecting the emergence of new scientific collaboration links in Africa: A comparison of expected and realized collaboration intensities, Journal of Informetrics, 11(3): 892-903, DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2017.07.004, More information
Wang, Lili, Xianwen Wang & Niels J. Philipsen, 2017, Network structure of scientific collaborations between China and the EU member states, Scientometrics, 113(2): 765-781, More information
Wang, Lili & Xianwen Wang, 2017, Who sets up the bridge? : Tracking scientific collaborations between China and the European Union, Research Evaluation, 26(2): 124-131, DOI: 10.1093/reseval/rvx009, More information
Confraria, Hugo, Manuel Mira Godinho & Lili Wang, 2017, Determinants of citation impact: A comparative analysis of the Global South versus the Global North, Research Policy, 46(1): 265-279, DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2016.11.004, More information
Wang, Lili, Huub Meijers & Adam Szirmai, 2017, Technological spillovers and industrial growth in Chinese regions, Industrial and Corporate Change, 26(2): 233-257, DOI: 10.1093/icc/dtw022, More information
Coccia, Mario & Lili Wang, 2016, Evolution and convergence of the patterns of international scientific collaboration, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), 113(8): 2057-2061, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1510820113, More information
Wang, Lili, 2016, The structure and comparative advantages of China’s scientific research: quantitative and qualitative perspectives, Scientometrics, 106(1): 435-452, DOI: 10.1007/s11192-015-1650-2, More information
Wong, Chan-Yuan & Lili Wang, 2015, Trajectories of science and technology and their co-evolution in BRICS: Insights from publication and patent analysis, Journal of Informetrics, 9(1): 90-101, DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2014.11.006, More information
Coccia, Mario & Lili Wang, 2015, Path-breaking directions of nanotechnology-based chemotherapy and molecular cancer therapy, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 94: 155-169, DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2014.09.007, More information
Wang, Lili & Adam Szirmai, 2013, The Unexpected Convergence of Regional Productivity in Chinese Industry, Oxford Development Studies, 41(1): 29-53, More information
Wang, Lili, Ad Notten & Alex Surpatean, 2013, Interdisciplinarity of nano research fields: A keyword mining approach, Scientometrics, 94(3): 877-892, DOI: 10.1007/s11192-012-0856-9, More information
Wang, Lili & Adam Szirmai, 2012, Capital inputs in the Chinese economy: Estimates for the total economy, industry and manufacturing, China Economic Review, 23(1): 81-104, DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2011.08.002, More information
Wang, Lili & Adam Szirmai, 2008, Productivity Growth and Structural Change in Chinese Manufacturing, 1980–2002, Industrial and Corporate Change, 17(4): 841-874, More information
Hu, B., Lili Wang & X. Yu, 2007, R&D and Economic Growth in China on the Basis of Data Envelopment Analysis: Evidence from Hebei Province, PRC, Journal of Technology Management in China, 2(3): 225-236, More information
Hu, B., Lili Wang & X. Yu, 2004, Stochastic Diffusion Models for Substitutable Technological Innovations, International Journal of Technology Management, 28(7/8): 654-666, More information
Book chapters
Wang, Lili & Adam Szirmai, 2011, Regional Productivity Trends in Chinese Industry, in: Harry X. Wu, Xu, Xianchun, Yue Ximing and Li Shi (eds), Growth, Productivity and Income Distribution – Macro- and Micro-Measurement Issues in Transition Economies, Peking University Press, Beijing
Books (monograph or edited volume)
Wang, Lili, 2009, Aggregate and Regional Productivity Growth in Chinese Industry, VDM Verlag, Saarbrücken, Germany, 228 pp, More information
UNU-MERIT Working Papers
Wang, Lili, Xianwen Wang, Fredrik Piro & Niels J. Philipsen, 2019, The effect of public funding on scientific performance: A comparison between China and the EU, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2019-045
Confraria, Hugo, Manuel Mira Godinho & Lili Wang, 2016, Determinants of citation impact: A comparative analysis of the Global South versus the Global North, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2016-029
Wang, Lili & Mario Coccia, 2015, Evolutionary convergence of the patterns of international research collaborations across scientific fields, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2015-011
Wang, Lili, 2014, The structure and comparative advantages of China's scientific research - Quantitative and qualitative perspectives, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2014-028
Coccia, Mario & Lili Wang, 2014, Path-breaking directions of nanotechnology-based chemotherapy and molecular cancer therapy, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2014-005
Wang, Lili, Huub Meijers & Adam Szirmai, 2013, Technological spillovers and industrial growth in Chinese regions, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2013-044
Wang, Lili & Ad Notten, 2011, Mapping the interdisciplinary nature and co-evolutionary patterns in five nano-industrial sectors, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2011-029
Wang, Lili & Adam Szirmai, 2008, Regional Capital Inputs in Chinese Industry and Manufacturing, 1978-2003, Joint working paper of UNU-MERIT and the Groningen Growth and Development Centre, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2008-028
Research reports
Naujokaitytė, R, Hugo Hollanders, Lili Wang & René Wintjes, 2023, Evaluation study on the implementation of cross-cutting issues in Horizon 2020: Study in support of the ex-post evaluation of the European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020, EU Study in support of the ex-post evaluation of the European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020, DOI: https://doi.org/10.2777/763665, More information
Wang, Lili & Ad Notten, 2010, Benchmark Report: Nano-technology and Nano-science, 1998-2008, the ObservatoryNano project, the 7th Framework Program, European Commission
Newman, Nils, Can Huang, Ad Notten & Lili Wang, 2009, Report on Benchmarking Global Nanotechnology Scientific Research: 1998-2007, the ObservatoryNano project, the 7th Framework Program, European Commission
Conference contributions
Guangyao, Zhang, Yu Geng, Lili Wang & Xianwen Wang, 2022, What do academic employers want from candidates? A multi-disciplinary research, 26th International Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (STI 2022), Granada, Spain, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6966543, More information
Wang, Lili & S. Jiang, 2017, Mapping the development trajectory of 3D printing technologies, ISSI 2017 - 16th International Conference on Scientometrics and Informetrics, Conference Proceedings, More information
Wang, Lili, Xianwen Wang & Fredrik Piro, 2017, Scientific research and funding networks between China and the European Union, 22th International Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators, 6-8 September, 2017, Paris, France
Wang, Lili, 2016, Knowledge spillovers and collaboration networks in China: evidence from nanotechnology, International Forum on the National Science and Technology Innovation, Beijing Research Centre for Science of Science, 23-24 November, 2016, Beijing
Wang, Lili & Xianwen Wang, 2016, Who sets up the bridge? Tracking scientific collaborations between China and the European Union, 21th International Conference on Science and Technology Indicators, Valencia, Spain, 14-16 September, 2016
Confraria, Hugo, Manuel Mira Godinho & Lili Wang, 2016, Determinants of citation impact: A comparative analysis of the Global South versus the Global North, STI Conference 2016. Valencia, September 2016
Wang, Lili, 2015, Spatial dynamics of international collaboration in science, Atlanta Conference on Science and Innovation Policy, Atlanta, USA, September 17-19, 2015
Wang, Lili & Mario Coccia, 2015, Evolutionary convergent patterns of international scientific collaboration, Atlanta Conference on Science and Innovation Policy, Atlanta, USA, September 17-19, 2015
Wang, Lili & Mario Coccia, 2015, Analysis of the spatial dynamics of intra- v.s. inter- research collaborations across countries, 15th International Conference on Scientometrics & Informetrics, Istanbul, Turkey, June 29- July 3, 2015
Wang, Lili, 2014, Mapping the research collaboration between China and EU 27, Conference of Future perspectives on innovation and governance in development, Maastricht, The Netherlands, November 26-28, 2014
Wang, Lili, Jojo Jacob & Zibiao Li, 2014, Funding for some, spills for others – explaining the emergence of nanotechnology in Chinese regions, The 19th International Conference on Science and Technology Indicators (STI), Leiden, The Netherlands, September 3-5, 2014.(Proceedings of Science and Technology Indicators (STI) conference, pp.658-672)
Wang, Lili, Jojo Jacob & Zibiao Li, 2014, Explaining the emergence of nanotechnology in Chinese regions, The 15th International Conference of the International Joseph A. Schumpeter Society (ISS), Jena, Germany, July 27-30, 2014
Wang, Lili, Jojo Jacob & Zibiao Li, 2014, Funding for some, spills for others: Explaining the emergence of nanotechnology in Chinese regions, DRUID 2014, Copenhagen, Denmark, June 16-18, 2014., More information
Wang, Lili & Mario Coccia, 2012, Emerging nano-technological research for future pathway of biomedicine, Forth Annual Conference of the Society for the Study of Nanoscience and Emerging Technologies (S.Net), Enschede, The Netherlands, October 22-25, 2012
Notten, Ad & Lili Wang, 2011, Mapping the interdisciplinary nature and co-evolutionary patterns in five nano-industrial sectors, First Global Techmining (GTM) Conference, Atlanta, 14 September 2011
Wang, Lili & Ad Notten, 2011, Mapping the interdisciplinary nature and co-evolutionary patterns in five nano-industrial sectors, DIME Final Conference, Maastricht
Wang, Lili & Adam Szirmai, 2007, Regional productivity trends in Chinese industry, The 6th International Conference on the Chinese Economy (CERDI), Is China's Development Sustainable?, Clermont-Ferrand, October 18-19, 2007
Wang, Lili & Adam Szirmai, 2007, Regional Productivity Trends in Chinese Manufacturing, Paper for International Conference on Experiences and Challenges in Measuring National Income and Wealth in Transition Economies, IARIW/National Bureau of Statistics, September 19-21, 2007, Beijing, China
Wang, Lili & Adam Szirmai, 2006, Productivity Growth and Structural Change in Chinese Manufacturing, 1980-2002, Paper for the 11th Conference of the International Schumpeter Society, Sophia Antipolis, 21-24 June, 2006