A stage model of education and innovation type in China: the paradox of the dragon
Journal of Technology Management in China
ISSN: 1746-8779
Article publication date: 14 February 2008
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual stage model of education and innovation type. The model depicts the influence of education on innovation and the paper aims to discuss the implications of it for the national competitiveness of China.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a newly created conceptual stage model of education and innovation supported by observations and a literature review based on past and present innovation efforts in China.
Findings
The paper demonstrates the importance of linking creative education with radical innovation that is associated with higher value‐added economic activities. The findings of the empirical studies to date in China suggest that such a change will not be easy. There is a need to increase the propensity towards creative thought processes even if this is considered “undesirable behavior” both in the Chinese classroom and for the Chinese Communist party. Evidence suggests that without such creativity, self‐initiated radical innovation is not possible across a broader spectrum of the educational system, and that break‐through inventions in value‐added technology and design industries will be limited in China.
Originality/value
The model in the paper is designed to stimulate further research, initiate discussion and encourage action on driving creativity in Chinese educational policy and practices. The paper's analysis and findings will be of interest to managers and government policy makers in China that are charged with developing new programs to spur value‐added innovation. Researchers will find the ideas for further empirical research potentially valuable in helping them to design studies surrounding the phenomena of creativity, education and innovation practices.
Keywords
Citation
Johnson, W.H.A. and Weiss, J.W. (2008), "A stage model of education and innovation type in China: the paradox of the dragon", Journal of Technology Management in China, Vol. 3 No. 1, pp. 66-81. https://doi.org/10.1108/17468770810851502
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited