Foster Technological Innovation Research Articles

How Artificial Intelligence Enhances Economic Growth and Development

Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the global economy by introducing innovative solutions to traditional problems, enhancing productivity, and creating new markets. This paper explores how AI contributes to economic growth through applications in diverse industries such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and logistics. It discusses AI's ability to drive decision-making, optimize resource allocation, and foster technological innovation. Additionally, the review considers labor market impacts, regulatory challenges, and ethical concerns, offering strategies for inclusive and sustainable AI-driven economic development. While the potential for AI is vast, navigating its risks requires collaboration between governments, businesses, and societies.

Technological development and eco-efficiency: Drivers of total factor productivity in OECD countries

This study delves into the total factor productivity growth in OECD countries, focusing on the crucial role of technological advancement and environmental management. By utilizing the Malmquist-Luenberger index, the paper encompasses both positive and negative outputs, such as pollution, providing a comprehensive productivity analysis by breaking it down into efficiency and technical change. Data from 36 OECD countries from 2000 to 2021 were examined to uncover trends and patterns in productivity growth and its unintended environmental consequences. The results emphasize the dominant influence of technological progress, particularly after 2006, as the primary driver of productivity growth, surpassing improvements in technical efficiency. A significant increase in technical change (1.56 in 2021) compared to technical efficiency (1.05) underscores the importance of sustained investment in research and development (R&D), which correlates positively with patent generation and technological advancement. The study also illustrates that OECD countries have effectively integrated eco-efficient practices, aligning with global trends in environmentally conscious productivity analyses. By integrating environmental outputs such as PM2.5 pollution, the analysis demonstrates that countries mitigating these adverse effects achieve higher productivity growth. These findings challenge conventional productivity models, where productivity diminishes when environmental aspects are considered. The analysis emphasizes the necessity for tailored policy approaches to address disparities in R&D investments, technological adoption, and eco-efficiency among countries. Countries with more significant R&D investments consistently demonstrate superior technological advancement in patents (0.745). Policymakers are urged to prioritize long-term strategies that foster technological innovation and environmental sustainability to ensure sustained productivity growth and economic resilience.

Research on Whether Quality Policies Can Promote the High-Quality Development of China’s Manufacturing Industry and Its Configuration Paths in the Context of Sustainable Development

High-quality development enhances economic quality and resource allocation efficiency through various effective and sustainable means, with particularly notable results in the manufacturing sector. Quality policies, through establishing standards, norms, and incentive measures, aim to foster technological innovation, efficient resource utilization, and quality improvement in manufacturing, thereby supporting its high-quality development. This study explores the impact of quality policies on high-quality development in manufacturing and their configurational pathways, providing theoretical foundations and practical guidance for optimizing policy combinations and promoting sustainable development. This analysis is based on quality policies released from 2013 to 2022 and sample data from 30 Chinese provinces. The findings reveal that quality policies significantly promote high-quality development in manufacturing, particularly through incentive, capacity building, and system changing instruments, while command instruments may exert certain pressures on high-quality development. Configuration analysis further indicates that a single instrument is insufficient to support high-quality development in manufacturing fully; the synergistic effect of multiple policy instruments is essential, and regions should optimize policy combinations according to their characteristics. This study provides valuable insights for sustainable development, offering a deeper understanding of the complex causal relationship between quality policies and high-quality development in manufacturing.

Talent scouting to accelerate technological innovation during the COVID-19 global health crisis: The role of organizational innovation in China

From a behavioral perspective, talent drives innovation, influences its developmental trajectory, and largely determines the likelihood of its success. Against the background of the COVID-19 global health crisis and disruption, it became a pressing challenge for organizations to seek out and employ top-level talent to accelerate technological innovation, especially with talent mobility being sharply hampered by travel restrictions. By juxtaposing the talent management and organizational innovation theories, we aim to explore novel approaches to talent scouting that involve innovative organizational arrangements. By examining the role played by organizational innovation in China, we uncover why and how innovative organizational arrangements of talent scouting can provide a promising pathway to foster technological innovation from a multi-level perspective. We point out theoretical, managerial, and policy implications for talent management and innovation research.

Research and Analysis on the Development of New Energy Vehicles in the Context of Low-Carbon Environmental Protection

Driven by the global wave of low-carbon and environmental consciousness, the new energy vehicle industry is poised for unprecedented development opportunities. As environmental challenges become increasingly severe, governments worldwide have implemented a series of policies to encourage the research and promotion of new energy vehicles. These vehicles not only play a crucial role in alleviating environmental pressures but also foster technological innovation and the transformation of economic structures. This paper, from the perspective of low-carbon and environmental protection, examines the current development status and technological pathways of new energy vehicles, explores the impact of policy support and industry chain construction on their advancement, and provides a forecast of the market outlook. Through a thorough analysis, a better understanding of the role and significance of new energy vehicles in low-carbon environmental protection can be gained, offering scientific foundations for future policy-making and industrial development.

Financial Sustainability and Technology Integration in Oil & Gas Cooperatives: Opportunities and Challenges

The oil and gas sector remains a critical component of the global economy, contributing significantly to energy supply, employment, and economic development. However, with growing environmental concerns, market volatility, and operational complexities, maintaining sustainable operations has become increasingly challenging for industry players. This paper delves into the role of financial sustainability and technology integration within oil and gas cooperatives, focusing on the opportunities and challenges that arise from this dual approach. The paper highlights the importance of cooperatives in addressing these challenges by ensuring operational efficiency, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable development. The integration of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) offers substantial benefits for cooperatives operating in the oil and gas sector. These technologies enable organizations to optimize resource allocation, streamline operational workflows, and implement predictive maintenance models to reduce downtime and equipment failure. Furthermore, IoT-based monitoring systems ensure real-time visibility of key operational metrics, allowing for proactive risk management. Financial sustainability, on the other hand, involves implementing robust financial models to manage cash flows effectively, forecast economic risks, and align business strategies with market demands. The interplay between financial sustainability and technology integration allows cooperatives to maximize profitability while reducing environmental impact, contributing to broader sustainability goals. A case study on Shell Nigeria’s Cooperative Society in Port Harcourt is presented to provide practical insights into the application of these principles. The study demonstrates how Shell’s cooperative has utilized IoT-based solutions and predictive financial models to ensure sustainable growth and efficient project execution. The cooperative plays a pivotal role in managing employees’ thrift and loan operations, generating significant value through real estate investments and technology-driven initiatives. By adopting innovative tools and sustainable practices, the cooperative not only ensures operational resilience but also contributes to socio-economic development in the communities it serves. Mathematical models, such as Net Present Value (NPV) analysis, are employed to illustrate the financial optimization strategies used by Shell Nigeria’s cooperative in evaluating project profitability. Diagrams depicting the integration of technology and financial systems further highlight the efficiency and effectiveness of this approach. Through these models, the paper demonstrates how financial decision-making is enhanced, ensuring that investments align with long-term sustainability goals. This study explores the broader implications of integrating technology with financial sustainability in oil and gas cooperatives. It emphasizes the importance of building public-private partnerships to attract investment and foster technological innovation. Additionally, the paper discusses the regulatory landscape and the need for cooperatives to align with global sustainability standards. The findings suggest that cooperatives in the oil and gas sector have a unique opportunity to drive economic resilience and environmental stewardship through effective financial management and advanced technology deployment. The paper provides actionable recommendations for cooperatives seeking to achieve financial sustainability and operational efficiency through technology integration. These recommendations include upskilling employees, enhancing data management capabilities, and establishing strategic partnerships to overcome challenges. The research underscores the importance of cooperatives in achieving sustainable development within the oil and gas sector, making a compelling case for aligning business strategies with emerging technologies and financial best practices. This approach ensures long-term resilience and contributes to broader national and global sustainability goals.

Integration and Innovation of Renewable Energy Technology in International Cooperation Projects

In the tide of global energy transformation, the application of mechatronics technology in the new energy sector has become a pivotal force in advancing sustainable development. This paper thoroughly explores the integration of mechatronics with new energy sources such as solar and wind energy, aiming to enhance energy conversion efficiency, reduce costs, and stimulate technological innovation. By examining the current state of mechatronics technology in the research, development, manufacturing, and promotion of new energy equipment, this paper proposes a range of strategies and recommendations. These are designed to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, foster technological innovation, and enhance international cooperation to achieve sustainable global energy development.

Core Technology Topic Identification and Evolution Analysis Based on Patent Text Mining—A Case Study of Unmanned Ship

Accurate identification and evolutionary analysis of core technology topics within patent texts play a crucial role in enabling enterprises to discern the development trajectory of core technologies, optimize research and development (R&D) strategies, and foster technological innovation. Based on the perspective of time series dynamic analysis, this study uses the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling and TF-IDF text vectorization methods to comprehensively mine and identify patent technology topics in the field of unmanned ships. This study deeply analyzes the dynamic evolution of unmanned ship technology topics from two aspects: the evolution of technology theme intensity and the evolution of technology theme content. We refine the development characteristics and future development directions of unmanned ship technology. The findings reveal two hot technologies, six growth technologies, and six declining technologies in unmanned ship technology. Furthermore, the analysis of technical topic evolution illustrates a pattern of fragmentation, inheritance, and integration. This study advances the methodologies used for identifying and analyzing patent technology topics and helps to grasp the development rules and evolutionary trends of core technologies. In addition, this paper has reference value for the research and practice of core technology topic identification and evolution analysis methods based on patent text mining.

The Current Status and Prospects of China’s Low Carbon Economic Development

This paper aims to explore the importance of developing a low-carbon economy in China and presents a series of key recommendations. Firstly, it emphasizes the adverse impact of economic development on the natural environment and highlights the unsustainable nature of China’s previous pursuit of economic growth at the expense of its ecological surroundings. Subsequently, the paper provides specific recommendations in response to the pressing resource and environmental challenges in current economic and social development, along with the urgent need to accelerate the transition towards a greener, low-carbon economy to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals. The key recommendations include continually enhancing the legal framework for a low-carbon economy, optimizing the energy structure, improving energy efficiency, and optimizing the industrial structure. These proposals aim to offer concrete actions to support the development of a low-carbon economy in China, encompassing legal support, energy transformation, and industrial upgrading. Ultimately, this paper underscores China’s potential in developing a low-carbon economy and calls for resolute actions to strengthen legal frameworks, foster technological innovation, and promote industrial restructuring. These actions will guide China towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious economic future, aligning its growth trajectory with the global imperative to reduce carbon footprints.

Designing cross‐sector collaboration to foster technological innovation: Empirical insights from eHealth partnerships in five countries

AbstractThis article examines the impact of partnership design on technological innovation in public‐private innovation partnerships. It develops two competing hypotheses on how specific partnership characteristics lead to innovation in health care services. The study compares 19 eHealth partnerships across five European countries and uses fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis to test the hypotheses. The findings show that small, centralized, and homogeneous partnerships are most successful at achieving technological innovation. The study highlights the importance of partnership design in spurring innovation and calls for a reconsideration of some of the underlying assumptions of collaborative innovation theory.

Assessing the role of green investment in energy efficiency: Does digital economy matter?

Energy efficiency is crucial for achieving a balance between economic growth and sustainable development. As carbon-neutral targets continue to gain momentum, green investments are becoming increasingly important. Therefore, it is critical to investigate the relationship between green investment and energy efficiency. This paper aims to fill a gap in the macroeconomic literature by using a generalized method of moments (GMM) technique based on panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2006 to 2019. The econometric results indicate that green investment is positively associated with energy efficiency. Additionally, green investment indirectly promotes energy efficiency by fostering technology innovation and research and development (R&D) intensity. The results also suggest that more advanced digital development is linked to improvements in energy efficiency. Furthermore, regions characterized by higher levels of digital economy exhibit a more pronounced contribution of green investment to energy efficiency. Based on these findings, this paper provides valuable insights for Chinese policymakers on green investment and low-carbon development.

Policy design for transition from imitation to innovation in emerging photovoltaic sectors using a system dynamics model

Technological innovation, as a main driver of companies' competitive advantage, is typically initialized by imitating existing technologies in nascent industries. However, many companies cannot actually succeed in developing new technologies through innovation. Policy intervention plays a crucial role in a successful transition from imitation to innovation in emerging sectors. This study presents a system dynamics model to capture the dynamics of such a transition in a national photovoltaic (PV) industry and help policymakers design effective policy interventions. The model is calibrated using real data collected from Iran's PV sector. Exploiting the underlying causal feedback structure, this study provides two policy recommendations to foster innovation in the PV sector. The first policy stimulates knowledge transfer from Iranian public research centers to the industry by designing a reward-based mechanism that encourages academicians to collaborate with the industry. The second policy develops national PV market so that financial resources required for joint innovation projects with the research partners are provided for the domestic firms. Accordingly, both solar feed-in tariffs and electricity prices in Iran should increase in a goal-seeking manner by 2050. The simulation results confirm that our proposed policy mechanisms would foster technological innovation in Iran's PV sector.

Social Capital and Self-Employment Dynamics in China

Opportunity-driven entrepreneurship can stimulate economic growth and foster technology innovation, while subsistence-driven self-employment can have the opposite effect. In China, a country with a typical relational society and a middle-income status, the nature of nonagricultural self-employment remains contentious. Examining the influence of social capital on entrepreneurial activities can provide insight into the nature of entrepreneurial activities in China, although this issue has received relatively little attention in the literature. To address this gap, this study employs multivariate discrete choice modeling on national representative samples from the China Family Panel Studies dataset to assess the relationship between social capital and entrepreneurship dynamics. The results indicate that relational, structural, and cognitive social capital all affect entrepreneurial dynamics, and these effects vary between urban and rural areas. Individuals who are less likely to be members of an organization, who are less conscientious, and who have low levels of trust and gift expenses are more likely to become self-employed. Conversely, people with high trust, strong conscientiousness, and low social status are more likely to exit self-employment. In addition, individuals with lower levels of human capital are more likely to both enter and exit self-employment. These findings suggest that self-employment tends to be subsistence-driven in China, which has implications for policymakers seeking to promote opportunity-driven entrepreneurial activities.

Dissecting the compensation conundrum: a machine learning-based prognostication of key determinants in a complex labor market

PurposeAmidst the turbulent tides of geopolitical uncertainty and pandemic-induced economic disruptions, the information technology industry grapples with alarming attrition and aggravating talent gaps, spurring a surge in demand for specialized digital proficiencies. Leveraging this imperative, firms seek to attract and retain top-tier talent through generous compensation packages. This study introduces a holistic, integrated theoretical framework integrating machine learning models to develop a compensation model, interrogating the multifaceted factors that shape pay determination.Design/methodology/approachDrawing upon a stratified sample of 2488 observations, this study determines whether compensation can be accurately predicted via constructs derived from the integrated theoretical framework, employing various cutting-edge machine learning models. This study culminates in discovering a random forest model, exhibiting 99.6% accuracy and 0.08° mean absolute error, following a series of comprehensive robustness checks.FindingsThe empirical findings of this study have revealed critical determinants of compensation, including but not limited to experience level, educational background, and specialized skill-set. The research also elucidates that gender does not play a role in pay disparity, while company size and type hold no consequential sway over individual compensation determination.Practical implicationsThe research underscores the importance of equitable compensation to foster technological innovation and encourage the retention of top talent, emphasizing the significance of human capital. Furthermore, the model presented in this study empowers individuals to negotiate their compensation more effectively and supports enterprises in crafting targeted compensation strategies, thereby facilitating sustainable economic growth and helping to attain various Sustainable Development Goals.Originality/valueThe cardinal contribution of this research lies in the inception of an inclusive theoretical framework that persuasively explicates the intricacies of a machine learning-driven remuneration model, ennobled by the synthesis of diverse management theories to capture the complexity of compensation determination. However, the generalizability of the findings to other sectors is constrained as this study is exclusively limited to the IT sector.

Society 5.0: Human Centric, Decentralized, and Hyperautomated

The articles in this special section focus on the concept of Society 5.0. The five articles provide a glimpse of the human-centric applications and approaches in our continuously evolving digital society. With the rapid developments and proliferation of IoT, cyber-physical systems, AI, autonomous and mobility technologies, cyber (virtual) space and physical (real) space are converging. Such advancements in information and communication technology (ICT) have brought progress in industrial automation and economic growth. As things, people, and devices are increasingly connected, another digital revolution that focuses on human, social, and environmental needs is underway. Having its origin in Japan, Society 5.0 attempts to bring social and environmental concerns into the midst of a digital society. Conceptually, Society 5.0 is defined as “a human-centered (smart) society that balances economic advancement with the resolution of social problems by a system that highly integrates cyberspace and physical space.” a For a human-centered society, technologies can contribute significant value to many fields, such as mobility, healthcare and caregiving, manufacturing and infrastructures, food and agriculture, energy and climate, and disaster prevention. All the previous are in complete accordance with IEEE’s core purpose to foster technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity.

Maritime remote inspection technology in hull survey & inspection: A synopsis of liability issues from a European Union context

ABSTRACT Vessel hull inspection is a regulatory obligation. Adherence to procedural requirements forged by classification societies helps avoid numerous adverse consequences. In this era of technological innovation, drones, crawlers and underwater submersibles, aptly known as Remote Inspection Technologies, represent emerging technologies, and are being tested to conduct surveys and inspections that will gradually replace human presence on board ships and in-water. However, counter arguments have also emerged against the usage of these AI-based alternatives. Liability is one crucial drawback that could potentially discourage innovation and market growth, especially at the European Union level. Ship owners require a ”safety net” as they are a part and parcel of global commerce. Then again, survey and inspection via technologies require the involvement of multiple actors, which makes it difficult to apportion liability. Solutions are required, especially at the European Union level, so that member states could move forward in a spirit of partnership, and nurture and foster technological innovation through partnership. Against the foregoing, this article delves into the European Union liability landscape and outlines some of the critical challenges and strategic ways forward for consideration.

Periodontitis: Clinical Aspects, Pathophysiology, Experimental Approaches and Emerging Therapies

This review paper presents an overview of periodontal disease, beginning with clinical aspects including prevalence, etiology, disease progression mechanisms and implications for general health, followed by current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. We then describe experimental models used for in vitro and in vivo investigations of periodontal disease, and emerging therapeutic approaches based on biomedical and tissue engineering concepts, nanotechnology, gene and stem cell therapies. We aim to provide bioengineers, tissue engineers and nanotechnology researchers an overall understanding of the state-of-the-art of periodontal disease to foster technological innovation based on interdisciplinary research and collaboration between physical and medical scientists.

Technology for Development: Ten True Stories Revealing the Complexity of Replicating South Korean Success

<p>This essay comprises ten true stories presented to highlight personally observed problematic encountered by Asian developing country leadership who tried to replicate South Korean success in fostering technology innovation induced sustainable economic growth strategy without paying robust attention to the crucial role of creating an "innovation climate/culture" as necessary foundation for myriad development efforts. It seems to Sharif that the country leadership focused too much on the model mechanics, but did not have rigorous concern for the underlying principles of those models. To reveal validity of this assertion, Sharif presents ten true stories that he personally observed. The stories are: (1) True Story on Suspicion and Disrespect; (2) True Story on Mindset Constraint; (3) True Story on Caring for the Weak; (4) True Story of Super Achievers; (5) True Story on Failure to Follow Through; (6) True Story on "Turn Right" into the River; (7) True Story of Motherly Protection; (8) True Story of Supreme Commitment; (9) True Story of KIST and MOST Mirages; and (10) True Story on Plan Implementation.</p><p><strong>Key words</strong>: <em>technology for development, technology innovation, technology management</em></p>

Innovation for climate change adaptation and technical efficiency: an empirical analysis in the European agricultural sector

This paper analyses the effect of innovation on firms’ technical efficiency. Using climate-related patent data to proxy for innovation activity in different technological fields, the paper employs a stochastic frontier approach to estimate the impact of innovative efforts on agricultural firms’ technical efficiency taking account of both unobservable heterogeneity and double heteroscedasticity in the inefficiency and idiosyncratic terms. Our findings confirm that innovation has a positive impact on firms’ productivity (technical efficiency). While agricultural firms located in Germany and Sweden are more efficient compared to those in southern countries, all the European countries considered are distant from the maximum production frontier. This leaves room for governments to design economically sustainable agriculture policies, incentivize firms and foster technological innovation to achieve adaptations to present and future changes in climate.

Have a Personal Mission and Vision [The Way Ahead

Do you have a vision? This issue of IEEE Potentials is about medical technology. I want to consider vision as a concept that encompasses more than just the physical ability to see or technology that helps with physical vision. Most organizations have mission and vision statements. A mission statement defines the organization’s business, its objectives, and its approach to reaching those objectives, whereas a vision statement describes the desired future position of the organization. The mission statement describes what you want to do now, and the vision statement outlines what you want to be in the future. The IEEE’s mission statement is “IEEE’s core purpose is to foster technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity.”