How does innovation happen in China? State-private players in new-old industries

After decades of rapid development, China plans to build a modern, harmonious, and creative society by 2030. Could a country that is known for its growth through state capitalism in the past decades foster innovation and build a sustained modern society? Dr. Ghorbani will provide an anecdotal view of a few innovative firms with various levels of state connection, and will discuss their growth and innovation processes to draw a picture of the state of innovation in China. With an eye on the US-China trade tension, domestic socio-economic issues in China, and other global geo-political complexities, he draws some conclusion about whether Chinese firms can achieve these innovation goals, and the type of roles the government and foreign firms can play in facilitating their efforts.

Dr. Majid Ghorbani is an associate professor of International Business and Strategy and the Academic Director of the International MBA program and Deputy Director, International, of the Yunus Centre for Social Business & Microfinance at Renmin University of China.

Dr. Ghorbani holds a PhD and MBA from the Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University, Canada, and a Bachelor of Law in International Politics from Peking University, China.

Dr. Ghorbani is on the editorial or review board of several academic journals. His research in the area of International Management, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, as well as on Corporate Social Responsibility has been published in various academic journals. Apart from his academic experience, Majid has about fifteen years of experience in the public and private sectors, including four years as the IT Manager at various United Nations’ organizations in China, integrating technology into poverty eradication, women’s rights, and environmental protection projects among other things.

This event is hosted by the Jack Austin Centre for Asia Pcific Business Studies