National Competitiveness Research Articles

Construction of an Evaluation Index System for Enhancing College Students' Innovation and Entrepreneurship Abilities Based on Academic Competitions

With the rapid development of the global economy, innovation and entrepreneurship have become vital components of national competitiveness. Academic competitions, as an effective educational approach, can foster college students' innovation and entrepreneurship abilities. This paper aims to provide a reference and practical tool for innovation and entrepreneurship education in higher education by constructing an evaluation index system for enhancing college students' innovation and entrepreneurship abilities based on academic competitions.

Artificial Intelligence and the Development of “Specialized, Refined, Unique, and Innovative” Small‐ and Medium‐Sized Enterprises

ABSTRACT“Specialized, Refined, Unique, and Innovative” (SRUI) enterprises are a crucial part of the national innovation system and play a significant role in enhancing national core competitiveness by leveraging strengths and addressing weaknesses. Given the limited quantitative analysis on the productivity of SRUI enterprises in the academic field, this paper constructs an enterprise‐level artificial intelligence index based on text analysis and machine learning. Using panel data from 2018 to 2022, we investigate the impact of artificial intelligence on the productivity of SRUI small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The research findings indicate that (1) artificial intelligence significantly enhances the productivity of SRUI SMEs, and for each one standard deviation increase in artificial intelligence, the productivity level of SRUI enterprises will increase by 6.82%. (2) Mechanism tests reveal that artificial intelligence improves productivity by optimizing labor structure, improving labor resource allocation, stimulating endogenous motivation and innovation vitality within enterprises, and enhancing management level and investment efficiency. (3) Heterogeneity analysis indicates that at the regional level, artificial intelligence significantly boosts the productivity of enterprises with well‐developed network infrastructure and robust intellectual property protection systems. At the industry level, AI has a more pronounced effect on the productivity of technology‐intensive and competitive industries. Additionally, we also find that the impact of AI on productivity is more significant in enterprises with younger executive teams and executives with digital and intelligent education backgrounds. This study expands the research scope of productivity and provides valuable insights for the government to optimize digital economy policies and for enterprises to formulate digital innovation strategies.

DOMINANTS FOR THE NATIONAL ECONOMIES’ COMPETITIVENESS

This article is devoted to innovation as a prerequisite for the national economies' sustainable development and a domain for their global competitiveness. The paper aims to highlight the internal essence of mutual relations between innovation, competition, and economic growth. It was assumed that innovation positively affected the competitive behaviour of economic agents and eventually contributed to an increase in public welfare. Regarding the period from 2007 to 2022, we considered the sample of Central European countries and the Baltic states. Theoretical generalization has been applied to systematize the factors determining competition and innovation. We used statistical methods and comparative analysis to investigate the indicators' dynamics. The interdependencies between macroeconomic dynamics and a set of competition and innovation indicators have been assessed. It was proved that the proportion of medium and high-tech industry value added in the total value added of manufacturing was quite important, yet not the ultimate criterion for ensuring high growth rates and sustainable development. The dynamics of commercial spending on research and development had been ambiguous and unsustainable. To ensure strategic competitiveness, national governments should encourage innovation in their respective business communities. The sampled economies have been examined considering a set of innovation and competition indicators (e.g., gross capital formation, research and development expenditures, logistics performance, export technological structure, carbon dioxide emission, and renewable energy consumption). Considering the implications of globalization, tax burden as an integral characteristic of the national economy's competitiveness has been evaluated as well. It was pointed out that: a) a stable, understandable and transparent tax policy should be implemented to protect the investors' property rights; b) a system of total anti-corruption measures aimed at preventing the practices of receiving undue benefits should be set; and c) the business sector should improve own environmental and social responsibility complexly, introduce resource-saving, green and circular economy.

Research on the Configuration Path of Innovation Performance of Strategic Emerging Enterprises

As vehicles for implementing innovation-driven strategies, the strategic emerging industries are crucial for enhancing national competitiveness and sustainable development. Improving innovation performance in these industries has been a central focus of academic research. Notably, existing studies have primarily analyzed the net effects from a single perspective. This study examined 261 strategic emerging Chinese enterprises listed on the A-share market. Utilizing the Technology–Organization–Environment framework and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis, this study explores the impact paths and mechanisms of the coupling configurations of technology, organization, and environment to enhance enterprises’ innovation performance from a configuration perspective. We discovered that, first, no single antecedent condition is necessary to achieve high enterprise innovation performance. However, increasing the level of digital transformation and intensity of innovation investments universally results in high innovation performance. Second, the technological, organizational, and environmental conditions exhibit “multiple concurrency”, forming diverse configurations that drive enterprise innovation performance; hence, the driving paths of enterprise innovation performance are varied. Third, four schemes exist for achieving high innovation performance in strategic emerging enterprises: environment-driven under technological dominance, technology–organization driven type, organization-driven under technological–environmental dominance, and technology–organization–environment co-driven type. Exploring the synergistic paths driving innovation performance from a configuration perspective enhances our understanding of the complex interactions among multiple factors in improving such performance. This provides significant theoretical and practical implications for enterprises aiming to improve their innovation performance.

The historical basis and ideological resources for building an education strong country in the new era

In the grand tapestry of socialist construction with Chinese characteristics for the new era, the implementation of the strategy to forge an educational powerhouse holds profound significance for the modernization of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Delving into the essence and objectives of this educational powerhouse strategy, it becomes evident that transcends mere expansion of educational scale and enhancement of quality. Rather, it accentuates education's pivotal role in buttressing national competitiveness and sustainable development. This strategy aims to cultivate socialist builders and successors who are comprehensively developed in moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor dimensions, thereby providing the talent reservoir and intellectual bedrock for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The backdrop of a new wave of globalization, the twin challenges of constructing a modern educational system, modernizing educational governance capabilities, and nurturing a cohort of innovative talents aligned with the demands of our times have emerged as critical issues confronting humanity collectively.

Role of AI-Driven Personalized E-Learning In Enhancing Economic Competitiveness: A Comparative Analysis of Developed And Developing Countries

This study explores the influence of AI-driven personalized e-learning on the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) across six countries, comprising three developed (USA, Germany, Japan) and three developing (Pakistan, India and Nigeria) nations, over a span of 17 years (2007-2023). Utilizing a least squares regression model, the analysis incorporates key variables including the Artificial Intelligence Global Index (AIGI), Human Development Index (HDI), and R&D expenditure as control variables to assess their impact on GCI. The model demonstrates a robust fit, with an R2 value of 96.79% and an adjusted R2 value of 96.50%, indicating that AI-enhanced e-learning is a significant predictor as independent variables of economic competitiveness GCI. The findings underscore the significant role of investment in AI and e-learning technologies, particularly in enhancing economic competitiveness, as evidenced by strong positive correlations between GCI and AIGI, HDI, and R&D expenditure. The results are consistent with IBM's research, which highlights the importance of these variables in driving national competitiveness in the global market. The study concludes that AI-driven personalized e-learning is a critical lever for improving GCI, particularly for developing countries aiming to close the competitiveness gap with developed nations. The implications of this research suggest that targeted investments in AI and e-learning can substantially contribute to sustainable economic growth and international competitiveness. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers and educational institutions aiming to enhance their nation's competitiveness through strategic investments in AI-driven educational technologies.

Policy Text AI Mining Study —— A Comparative Analysis Based on U.S., U.K., and Chinese Policies

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a key strategic area to enhance national competitiveness globally. We adopts a textual analysis methodology, based on the three-dimensional framework of policy tools and the LDA thematic model, to conduct a systematic analysis and comparative study of the AI policy texts of the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. The study aims to reveal the policy stance, strategic planning, and challenges and opportunities faced by the three countries in the field of AI. Through the analysis, the study identifies the major themes in the policy texts of each country and maps them to the three dimensions of supply, demand, and environment of policy tools. The study finds that the US AI policy focuses on international cooperation, fair civil rights, and innovation ecology; the UK emphasizes ethical governance and legal regulation; and China highlights innovation-driven and smart economy development. In addition, all three countries emphasize building a stable, predictable and innovation-supportive policy environment. The study puts forward a series of comprehensive recommendations, including strengthening international cooperation, balancing innovation and regulation, optimizing a supportive innovation ecosystem, improving the legal system, focusing on talent cultivation, and building an AI innovation alliance. These recommendations aim to promote the healthy development of global AI technologies and maximize their positive contributions to the economy and society.

Internalizing External Accident Costs in Safety Investment Evaluation Using Cost–Benefit Analysis

The primary objectives of transportation system development in European countries include improving transport efficiency, enhancing national economic competitiveness, and promoting sustainable mobility. A key aspect of achieving these goals is the evaluation of transport externalities, particularly external accident costs, which is critical for ensuring the economic and social sustainability of road transport development. This study comprehensively evaluates external road accident costs and proposes an innovative approach to internalizing these costs through a cost–benefit analysis (CBA). By integrating these external costs into CBA, policymakers can better understand the societal impact of road safety investments, allowing for more informed decisions regarding measures to reduce road accidents and fatalities. This paper also explores the role of specific safety investments, such as installing vehicle restrain systems (VRS), buffers, and terminals on the national road network, as well as installing speed cameras, in reducing accidents and mitigating external costs. The findings highlight road safety measures’ importance in enhancing economic efficiency and social well-being, providing a solid foundation for the sustainable and efficient development of transportation systems.

Application of Time-Series Modeling in Forecasting the Doctorate-Level Science and Technology Workforce

The science and technology (S&T) workforce plays a crucial role in social development by promoting technological innovation and economic growth, as well as serving as a key indicator of research and development productivity and measure of innovation capability. Therefore, effective S&T workforce policies must be established to enhance national competitiveness. This study proposes a time-series forecasting methodology to predict the scale and structural trends of South Korea’s doctorate-level S&T workforce. Based on earlier research and case data, we applied both the traditional time-series model exponential smoothing and the latest model Prophet, developed by Meta, in this study. Further, public data from South Korea were used to apply the proposed models. To ensure robust model evaluation, we considered multiple metrics. With respect to both forecasting accuracy and sensitivity to data variability, Prophet was found to be the most suitable for predicting the S&T doctorate workforce’s scale. The scenarios derived from the Prophet model can help the government formulate policies based on scientific evidence in the future.

Origin of the Fourth Industrial Revolution: manufacturing predictions preceding Industrie 4.0

Purpose The Fourth Industrial Revolution is a prominent area of interest in the field of manufacturing that is bringing about revolutionary changes. In this study, the authors sought to determine whether professionals in academia or industry could have predicted the composition of advanced technologies associated with Industry 4.0 before Germany's Industrie 4.0 policy announcement. The purpose of this paper is to use the process for identifying technologies that can be included in industrial policy to improve national competitiveness in manufacturing. Design/methodology/approach Relevant documented research from 2000 to 2012 was identified and captured using a systematic literature review. The significant technological advancements during this period were analyzed to determine how technological innovations may have affected predictions about the future of manufacturing. The identified predictions were analyzed using an open-source natural language processing code that clustered relevant topics in the predictions that indicated common themes. The results were then compared to the ideas within “Industry 5.0”. Findings The results of this study showed that an aggregate analysis of manufacturing predictions would have preemptively revealed the Fourth Industrial Revolution and could have been used to inform industrial policy that could accelerate technology adoption. Also, contrary to popular belief, the popular Industry 5.0 is a sematic exemplification of a concept already embedded within the origins of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Practical implications By examining the provenance of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, lessons are learned that bring light to Industry 4.0 and the measures that can be taken to enable the advancements that it brings. The results of this study show that is would be wise for government policymakers to enact programs that monitor the manufacturing predictions coming out of academia and to analyze them aggregately using natural language processing as a means to identify the next evolutions and revolutions and to mobilize policymakers to enhance outcomes of enacting policy. Originality/value Despite high hopes for the realization of Industry 4.0, there has been little discussion about the technological innovations and events that occurred to enable it. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that has determined that an aggregate analysis of manufacturing predictions would have preemptively revealed the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The success of the methodology used in this study has theoretical implications in support of natural language processing (NLP) being used to inform national policy.

Could Digital Trade Promote Global Value Chain Participation? Evidence from Multinational Data

ABSTRACT Digital trade and global value chains are important topics in international trade, yet the relationship between them has yet to be fully verified. Based on the multinational panel dataset during 2007–2018, this article empirically studies the impact of digital trade on global value chain participation and its mechanism. The results show that digital trade significantly promotes global value chain participation. In terms of sub-dimensions, national competitiveness of digital services has a positive impact, while digital innovation environment has a negative impact. Digital trade is more conducive to promoting forward-linkage participation and the global value chain participation of developed countries. Digital trade promotes global value chain participation by reducing trade costs and improving technological innovation. The trade cost effect exists only in developed countries, and the technological innovation effect is verified in both developed and developing countries.

Assessing the economy-wide impacts of digital transformation in the Korean economy: A social accounting matrix multiplier approach

This study assesses the economic impact of digital transformation (DT) in Korea by utilizing a Social Accounting Matrix to explore interconnections across various datasets. Through a social accounting matrix multiplier analysis, this study empirically identifies the production inducement, income inducement, and income distribution effects driven by DT-related infrastructure investments. We analyze how DT influences production, income, and income distribution through infrastructure investments, focusing on its effects on the labor market and household income. The findings indicate that DT accelerates economic growth, favoring digital capital-intensive industries and high-skilled labor, potentially increasing employment polarization and exacerbating income inequality. This study highlights the need for dual approach as to enhance national competitiveness and inclusiveness in an economy driven by DT technologies. This approach involves two key components that work synergistically to maximize the benefits of DT while addressing its potential challenges, suggesting that industrial and innovation policies should be reconstructed to align with the demands of a DT-driven economy.

Meniscus-Guided 3D Nanoprinting Technology for Quantum Device Assembly

The future we envision is always driven by technological innovation, and among the most promising fields is quantum technology. Ultra-fast computing, highly precise sensors, and unbreakable communication networks, once confined to science fiction, are now becoming reality. At the heart of realizing these advancements is 3D nanoprinting technology. This technique, which meticulously builds structures at the atomic scale, is essential for assembling quantum devices. In particular, meniscus-guided 3D nanoprinting is gaining attention as a revolutionary method, enabling extreme precision that was previously unattainable through traditional approaches, accelerating the commercialization and widespread use of quantum devices. However, the significance of quantum technology extends beyond mere technical achievements. It is also emerging as a key factor in national competitiveness and security. With intense global competition in areas like quantum computing, encryption, and sensing, research and investment to bridge the technological gap with leading nations are more crucial than ever. This article explores the principles and potential applications of meniscus-guided 3D nanoprinting, highlighting why this technology is poised to play a pioneering role in the quantum revolution.

체계적 문헌고찰 방법을 활용한 스타트업 성공에 관한 연구동향 분석

Startups are considered to play an important role in creating jobs, revitalizing the economy, and enhancing national competitiveness. Accordingly, the government's multifaceted efforts have increased the number of startups, but continued advancement in quality is necessary. In order for startups to grow into global companies and play a leading role in leading national economic growth, it is necessary to first clearly identify the various factors necessary for startup success. Accordingly, this study was conducted for the purpose of suggesting implications and future research tasks that can be provided by research trends on startup success by synthesizing previous studies. To this end, a total of 104 domestic documents were collected through a systematic literature review that collected and analyzed existing domestic studies, and the following results were obtained by analyzing the concept of startups and trends in research related to startup success, trends by research period, academic field, and method, trends in research topics, and the relationship with major variables in research. First, research on startup success has been steadily increasing from 3 studies in 2014 to 21 studies in 2023. This is because startups have different characteristics and potential from existing startups based on their innovativeness and rapid growth potential. Second, the fact that startup success research has been conducted in various fields such as society, culture, art, technology, science, and law and published in 50 academic journals suggests that startups play an important role in various industrial ecosystems. Third, the results of analyzing research on startup success based on the ERIS model show that research topics are more biased toward resource and management strategy dimensions. This suggests that resource factors and management strategy factors are recognized as key factors in startup success. However, since startup success is achieved through the mutual influence of various factors, research on founder factors and industrial environment factors should also be conducted in a balanced manner to ensure comprehensive interest in startup success. This study is significant in that it provides useful insights to founders and policymakers who want to continue the direction and growth of future startup research based on these results.

Using design thinking hands-on learning to improve artificial intelligence application creativity: A study of brainwaves

In an era of rapidly developing artificial intelligence (AI), nurturing AI proficiency and innovation is critical to enhance individual, corporate, and national competitiveness. This study explored the effects of hands-on learning of design thinking (HLDT) on the creative performance and brainwaves of participants involved in an AI task. The study included 67 public university students from two classes who were also pre-service teachers. The experimental group received HLDT, while the comparison group received multimedia lecture-based instruction about DT. We found that HLDT significantly positively affected the novelty, feasibility, and value of the products that were created by the students. The effect on novelty was most substantial. In addition, it significantly positively affected various stages of the creative process, including discovery, definition, ideation, implementation, and refining. The effect on the refining stage was the most pronounced. Finally, it promoted higher levels of meditation during the discovery stage, with individuals feeling more relaxed and exhibiting lower beta and gamma activity. It also encouraged higher levels of attention and meditation during the ideation stage, aiding divergent thinking. Based on these findings, we propose practical teaching recommendations for suitable contexts and key instructional content for HLDT. Additionally, we suggest areas for future research.

O PAPEL DAS COMPRAS PÚBLICAS EM DEFESA COMO O NOVO VETOR DE DESENVOLVIMENTO NACIONAL

This article discusses the importance of the defense industry as a driver of innovation and economic growth in the country. With the intensification of geopolitical challenges and the need to modernize the Armed Forces, Brazil has invested in acquisitions that encourage research and technological development. The proposed research analyzes how these strategic public purchases can not only strengthen military capacity, but also stimulate national industry, generating skilled jobs and promoting technology transfer. Collaboration between the government and the private sector is essential to maximize the benefits of these acquisitions, allowing technological advances to have a positive impact on various sectors such as health, energy and transport. In addition, these defense acquisitions can serve as an industrial policy tool, guiding investments in priority areas and contributing to the country's strategic autonomy. In this context, the research aims to demonstrate how defense acquisitions and orders are an essential vector for economic and technological development, with the potential to transform industrial capacity and national competitiveness in a global scenario.

Research on optimized path of labor skill structure based on fsQCA method

Under the background of globalization and rapid technological development, the optimization of labor skill structure has become the core factor to enhance national competitiveness and achieve sustainable economic development. In this paper, the advanced fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method is used to analyze the multi-dimensional influencing factors and the complex interaction mechanism of Chinese labor skill structure optimization. Through a detailed case analysis of 30 provinces in China, this study reveals the important role of key condition variables such as technological progress, trade openness, urbanization, and aging in the optimization of labor skill structure, and draws three paths for the optimization of labor skill structure.

Industrial policy, green challenges, and international business

AbstractNation-states are designing their industrial policies increasingly to not only enhance national competitiveness, but also to simultaneously address “Green Challenges”, concerns about the natural environment that require concerted action among different actors in society, including domestic and foreign multinational enterprises (MNEs). This blending of global and national policy objectives is leading to a new wave of industrial policies in advanced economies that are informed by scholarly discourses in evolutionary economics, innovation systems, and 'wicked problems'. We discuss the implications of these sustainability-oriented industrial policies for MNEs. They operate in increasingly diverse local ecosystems shaped by local actors and local policies as we illustrate for two such ecosystems in Nordic countries: circular economy and energy transition. Many MNEs face a tension between capabilities they could use to help nations achieve their sustainability goals and incentives to protect existing rents and business models. They may thus engage pro-actively or reactively in both market and nonmarket realms in each country in which they operate. We discuss the interactions between MNEs, governments, and other actors in host countries pursuing both sustainability and competitiveness objectives, and outline how ensuing tensions create new challenges and opportunities for international business scholarship.

Theoretical and Methodological foundations for Creating a Historical Exhibition in the Museums of Kazakhstan

This article addresses significant issues in museum work, a key aspect of implementing Kazakhstan’s cultural policy. The study and promotion of history in museums are conducted through expositions and exhibitions. One of the primary tasks of modern museums is to emphasize the importance of tangible culture in the era of digital communication as a crucial resource for national competitiveness and global recognition. As cultural institutions implementing state strategic policies, museums present Kazakhstan’s historical and cultural values to the world through National Exhibitions of the country in particular, and of Turkic culture in general. This academic article discusses the conceptual framework for creating a historical exhibition covering periods from ancient times to the Kazakh Khanate, using unique exhibits from the National Museum’s collection. The methodology for creating a world-class national exhibition is based on civilizational principles. The authors aim to to present a comprehensive image of Kazakh history through museum exhibitions, reflecting the cultural code of the steppe civilization.The authors view museums as cultural, educational, scientific institutions that play a crucial role in popularizing and preserving national values. They provide scientifically grounded concepts for national exhibitions by addressing theoretical and methodological issues and methods of exhibition creation.

Teaching as a dance with and towards dignity: Recognizing dignity in educational relationships

In educational research there is a plethora of propositions on different ways to address the problem of too narrow and merely/mainly extrinsic and future-oriented aims of education such as the one of producing citizens who can contribute to national competitiveness in a global capitalist market system. Several approaches counterbalance such narrow aims by offering more holistic aims such as cosmopolitan, democratic citizenship, flourishing and liberation. However, in addition to broadening the range of possible aims of education, there is also a need to address the underlying ethical and relational problem of how aims in themselves, even though holistic, still always run the risk of becoming stagnant and reified. In this paper, I argue together with Gert Biesta and Sharon Todd that the unavoidable fact of educational aims involving the risk of becoming stagnant can have detrimental effects on relationships in classrooms. However, I re-frame the problem from an ethical viewpoint. I propose dignity-awareness as a practice of ethical relational attunement to educational aims where these are left open for renewal and dynamic co-existence, not merely through a process of strenuous self-reflection and pedagogic dialogue, but through artfulness and playfulness. I suggest dance as a metaphor for an ethical awareness/interaction in which the relative importance of educational aims is acknowledged and appreciated.