Higher Education and Local Innovation Systems: Lessons From Public Attitudes in Shenzhen, China

This article examines public attitudes on the local innovation system of Shenzhen with a focus role government and higher education (HE). Based data collected from an online platform, Zhihu, this netizens’ perceptions government, institutional environment, HE labour force development. Text analysis reveals that netizens hold relatively positive towards future development due to its fair environment. Local HEIs needs be further developed support Shenzhen’s economic transformation but close linkage Hong Kong universities help mitigate challenges in human capital supply. paper presents novel way examining systems case also provides policy lessons other cities aiming at developing centres.