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Mobility, Knowledge Transfer, and Innovation: An Empirical Study on Returned Chinese Academics at Two Research Universities

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  • Qiongqiong Chen

    (Office of Strategic Planning and Development, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518055, China)

  • Yuan Li

    (Center for Language Education, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518055, China)

Abstract

This study provides an in-depth analysis of the effects of academic mobility on higher education innovation through an empirical study on returned Chinese academics at two research universities in China. Based on data obtained through document analysis and semi-structured interviews with 15 academic returnees, this paper aims to examine the everyday interactions between individual returnees and their environment, with a focus on exploring how different institutional contexts affect returnees’ capacity for integration and innovation. It finds that returned academics play an important role in promoting higher education innovation in China through mobilizing their transnational capital and resources. However, their capacity to innovate is largely subject to their working environment. Evidence from the study suggests that differing institutional contexts make a substantial difference to the reintegration experiences of returnees and to their contributions to institutional changes. This paper provides a window into the changing institutional environment in China and the academic lives of returnees there. It also provides important implications for talent policy decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiongqiong Chen & Yuan Li, 2019. "Mobility, Knowledge Transfer, and Innovation: An Empirical Study on Returned Chinese Academics at Two Research Universities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:22:p:6454-:d:287685
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paulette Siekierski & Manolita Correia Lima & Felipe Mendes Borini & Rafael Morais Pereira, 2018. "International academic mobility and innovation: a literature review," Journal of Global Mobility, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 6(3/4), pages 285-298, September.
    2. Maggi W.H. Leung, 2013. "Unraveling the Skilled Mobility for Sustainable Development Mantra: An Analysis of China-EU Academic Mobility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(6), pages 1-20, June.
    3. Koen Jonkers & Robert Tijssen, 2008. "Chinese researchers returning home: Impacts of international mobility on research collaboration and scientific productivity," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 77(2), pages 309-333, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Haiying Xu & Wei-Ling Hsu & Teen-Hang Meen & Ju Hua Zhu, 2020. "Can Higher Education, Economic Growth and Innovation Ability Improve Each Other?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Jun Guan & Chunxiu Liu & Guoqiang Liang & Lizhi Xing, 2023. "Framework to Measure the Mobility of Technical Talents: Evidence from China’s Smart Logistics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Xiantong Zhao & Hongbiao Yin & Chenyang Fang & Xu Liu, 2021. "For the Sustainable Development of Universities: Exploring the External Factors Impacting Returned Early Career Academic’s Research Performance in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-20, January.
    4. Haining Jiang & Wenzhong Zhang & Jian Duan, 2020. "Location Choice of Overseas High-Level Young Returned Talents in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-16, November.
    5. Yuzhuo Cai & Jinyuan Ma & Qiongqiong Chen, 2020. "Higher Education in Innovation Ecosystems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-12, May.

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