2 Comments Add your own

• 1. Morgan O'Hara  |  October 25th, 2009 at 12:45 pm

  Thank you for sharing another interesting podcast. My ramblings: the Chinese have the right idea in wanting to move up the value chain. Much of that depends on their ability to spur meaningful research and pioneer breakthrough technologies (and not research which revolves around improving processes and technologies). I think the Chinese government obviously makes mistakes – too demanding, too overbearing – but it is taking steps in the right direction. They have a vision, which is key. Our government has always dumped huge amounts of money into research. It has served us well. Think about the race to space. What perhaps will hinder us, however, is our lack of vision. At least that’s what Dr. William Jeffrey argued at the MIT conference this past week (a big thank you to Dr. Tornatzky and Dr. York for bringing a group of MBAs and engineers). The conference topic was whether America could keep its innovative edge. Dr. Jeffrey compellingly argued that there are no metrics used to evaluate research. He called it a lack of science on science policy. Whereas in the US we dole out cash and have no way to measure the returns, the Chinese are intent on results. It seems like a middle ground is needed. Government should invest, and allow for the proper framework for industry and academia to contribute and collaborate. Government should also focus on stimulating high potential areas of research. You can’t predict the future, but a government would be remiss if it didn’t have a plan to capitalize and help shape future trends. In that sense, I think the Chinese are outperforming us. The big question mark is whether the government will have the prescience to loosen its grip, and allow for a structured environment that enables research and innovation.

• 2. Emily Schaapveld  |  November 9th, 2009 at 9:07 pm

  I have not been to China, although I hope to experience it one day. Therefore, from an outsiders view, it appears that China has been faced with an interesting dilemma. The innovations in the United States have created a manufacturing empire in China. Though proportionally China receives very little from each product its workers produce, the manufacturing industry has contributed largely to the economic boom China has experienced over the past decade. In the course of becoming a major player in global business through manufacturing, China is realizing its ability to compete as a leader in innovation. The dilemma presents itself in that China may need to focus less on manufacturing and focus more on innovation. In order to solve this dilemma without a huge economic disruption, the Chinese government needs to loosen time constraints on research and direct additional funding to truly innovative technologies. It seems that China focuses on improving existing technologies simply because it does not have the time or money to invent new ones. However, the risk of investing in new technologies may come at a cost too high for the Chinese government. On the contrary, China has a focused vision and is willing to regulate it in order to not disrupt the current economic state. With the intelligence, motivation, and focus of it people, there is a strong potential for China to soon become innovative business leaders. The next question is how or if it will effect the manufacturing industry for China and the United States.

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