CCG Scholar Proposes Innovative Ways of Innovation in Newly-published Book

Compared to normal innovation, social innovation is more open, diverse, inclusive, and capable of tapping the full potential of social knowledge.  For all these reasons, it should receive greater encouragement and support as China enters into the era of mass innovation, according to a new book released by a prominent CCG scholar on March 22nd.

Professor Huang Yasheng, Associate Dean at MIT Sloan School of Management and key CCG academic advisor, presented his co-authored new book “Social Innovation” to a seminar at CCG’s headquarters. The book draws a picture of a new era in which the bar for innovation and entrepreneurship is lowered, enabling everyone to bring their potential into full play.

According to Prof. Huang, this book focuses on the socialization of innovation approach.  He believes that innovation is the engine for all economic growth. The conventional approach is rather enclosed, top-down, disciplined, and dependent on academic input. Compared to this conventional approach, social innovation is better able to make major breakthroughs. As China seeks to transform its economic growth model and upgrade manufacturing industry, social innovation should be more encouraged to boost mass innovation and entrepreneurship. Prof Huang calls on the government to create a favorable environment and provide sufficient support to innovation and talent development in are as such as intellectual property protection.

Huang’s view was endorsed by many other prominent scholars at the seminar. CCG President Dr. Wang Huiyao applauded Huang for his unique insights about innovation. Lin Jiabin, the research fellow from the Development Research Center of the State Council, pointed out that Huang’s theory is very enlightening and helpful for appropriately recognizing the role of government in in social innovation. Other participants at the seminar include Norsk Statoil China President Chen Xinhua, Linkedin China Co-founder Cheng Rui, CCG Vice President Li Shichang, and CCG research fellows.

Huang Yasheng is professor of political economy and international management at the Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In collaborations with other scholars, Professor Huang is conducting research on a range of projects, including higher education and the generation of scientific knowledge in China, as well as on entrepreneurship, and on FDI.  At the MIT Sloan School, Professor Huang founded and runs the China and India Labs, which help  Chinese and Indian entrepreneurs improve their management skills. Since their establishment in 2008, these two labs have provided consulting services to more than 150 small and medium-sized companies.