Asian Review of Political Economy - Call for Papers: The Interplay between Basic Research, Research and Development (R&D), Commercialization of Scientific and Technological Achievements, and Sustainable Economic Development
Special Issue Editors:
Yongnian Zheng, The Institute for International Affairs, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
Email: yzheng@cuhk.edu.cn (this opens in a new tab)
Ping Huang, The Institute for International Affairs, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
Email: huangping@cuhk.edu.cn (this opens in a new tab)
Randong Yuan, The Institute for International Affairs, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
Email: yuanrandong@cuhk.edu.cn (this opens in a new tab)
Preferred Submission Deadline: 31 July 2023
Publication of the special issue: Second half of 2023
Synopsis:
This special issue aims to explore the complex relationships between basic research, research and development (R&D), commercialization of scientific and technological achievements, and sustainable economic development in countries in Asia and beyond, with a particular focus on implications of the interplay of these factors for developing economies. Basic research and R&D are the foundation of innovation and technological progress, which is essential for the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements. When these achievements are brought to market and society through application at an industrial scale, normally in the form of commercialization by firms in a market economy, they can contribute to sustainable economic development by creating new jobs, generating revenue, and promoting economic growth.
The three rounds of industrial revolutions that already occurred in the last 250 years are salient examples of how profoundly science and technology could drive social, economic and political changes. The First Industrial Revolution harnessed water and steam power to speed up production, while the Second Industrial Revolution utilized electricity to enable mass production. The Third Industrial Revolution, based on electronics and information technology, brought about the automation of production. Now, a Fourth Industrial Revolution is emerging from the digital revolution that has been underway since the mid-20th century. This revolution is characterized by the fusion of various technologies, which is erasing the boundaries between the physical, digital, and biological domains.
As breakthroughs in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality or augmented reality (VR or AR), renewable energy and biotech are being made in an ever-accelerating pace, we find ourselves on the cusp of a scientific and technological transformation, where the very fabric of human societies and the inner workings of the economic system are poised to be altered in unprecedented ways. Some may even declare that we are approaching the “singularity”, a point in time in the future when scientific and technological advancement accelerates and deepens so much that it becomes unmanageable and irreversible, leading to unpredictable changes to humanity. Notwithstanding whether such a bold claim may hold true, the scale, scope, and intricacy of this ongoing paradigm shift will be unparalleled. While the specifics of this transformation are not yet fully known, it is imperative that all stakeholders within the global polity, from the public and private sectors to academia and civil society, take an integrated and comprehensive approach in their response to it.
Against such backdrop, we invite researchers from various disciplines to contribute their original research articles that address topics such as the role of basic research in promoting sustainable economic development, the impact of R&D investments on economic growth and competitiveness, strategies for commercializing scientific and technological achievements in a sustainable manner, the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, and government for achieving sustainable economic development, the ethical and social implications of commercializing scientific and technological achievements, and the potential of emerging technologies for promoting sustainable economic development.
We welcome articles that engage with one or more theoretical perspectives from international and/or comparative political economy and focus on single or multiple countries, institutions, and/or various state and non-state actors in Asia and other regions. Scholarly works based on the empirical analysis of the relevant experiences in both developing and developed economies are also welcome. Through this special issue, we hope to stimulate discussion and provide insights into the complex relationships between basic research, R&D, commercialization of scientific and technological achievements, and sustainable economic development, thus facilitating the development of strategies that can lead to sustainable economic development through the effective promotion and application of scientific and technological advancements for individual economies as well as the world as a whole.
How to submit a manuscript?
Please go through the Instructions for Authors (this opens in a new tab) and submit a manuscript through journal’s Editorial Manager site (this opens in a new tab)
All submissions to this collection will go through rigorous peer review. Reviewers will follow Springer Nature's and the journal's more detailed Peer-Review Policy. (this opens in a new tab)