Preface
This session I am taking a class related to technological
innovation, and it prompts me to think about the role of innovation in country
building and capacity building. First of all, I would like to say that I am not
an expert at all. It is just something which came across my mind, and if
someone who has more experience and knowledge can point me, I am more than
happy.
As everyone knows, Myanmar (Burma) is one of the least developed
countries in the world. Recently, its political situation has become better and
it is now heading towards the better future. However, the obstacles are ridiculously
big especially for social-economic situations.
Strategically speaking, Myanmar (Burma) is located in the
key position – between China and India. Since social-economic situation is
related to many factors, including political stability, education, welfare,
laws and judicial system, corruptions, and most importantly international
relations, it is, actually, hard to pin-point which can turn around the
situation.
However, since more or less my course work is related to the
technological innovation, I would like to write something as far as I can think
of. Actually, I really like to see the country
to enjoy the innovation driven economy instead of relying on natural resources
and unsustainable economy.
Innovation
As far as I concern, innovation is the philosophy. The root
of innovation comes from the desire and ability to make things better.
Therefore, innovation can come from individuals, organizations, governments,
firms and networks of organizations, globally or locally.
In fact, to make things better is not at all very difficult.
It does not need to be impressive nor well-known. As long as something has
become better than it used to be, it is the worthy innovation.
Therefore, I believe that in order to build the innovative
driven economy, it is essential to have the widespread philosophy of making
things better throughout the country.
Importance of Innovation
Only innovation can guide the society to step further – it is
not the political system; it is not the foreign investment; it is not the
international aid; which can actually develop the country. It is the innovation
only which can make the country better.
However, the political system, foreign investment,
international aid are essential for the innovation because they can create the environment
which innovation can happen.
Obstacles for Innovation
The most fundamental ingredient of innovation is Freedom –
the freedom to express well, the freedom to communicate well and the freedom to
compete well. Therefore, needless to say, innovation is highly intertwined with
democratic values. The more innovations will make the country more democratic
and more democratic country will make more innovations.
Lack of diversity, excessive attention to the traditional
norms, and lack of tolerance to competing ideas are the huge obstacles for
creating the innovative environment.
Moreover, innovation requires acknowledgement – the acknowledgement
has very little to do with monetary rewards. It is just the recognition from
the community and society which can encourage and foster the innovation.
Being different is a bonus. However, it is also important
that the differentness lead to better situation. If something is different from
the norm, it can go either way: good or bad. Therefore, it is very important to
foster the differentness into something good.
Finally, the absolute obedience can also be the huge
obstacle for the Innovation. Being an Asian society, the country pays the great
attention to elderly and filialness. Although it is really great to respect elderly,
in the rapidly changing environment, it is highly questionable if the elderly
can catch up with the speed of the change to guide to the right direction.
Therefore, it could be a better solution to encourage the development of the
better decision making for younger generations by themselves. It can not only
encourage innovation, but also build the mutual respect between younger and
older generation.
Driving Factors for Innovation
Actually, the need for innovation is intrinsic, rather than
extrinsic. “Innovate or Die” is indeed the natural phenomenon. We don’t have to
look further – Darwin’s Natural Selection Theory strongly suggests that only
innovative individual or society can survive. That’s why we need to innovate to
survive.
Technically speaking, the world is totally flat nowadays.
Now that the country is open to the global market and economy, the country has
to compete with competitors around the world. Therefore, if we do not have what
others cannot offer or imitate, there is very little chance that we can
survive.
In addition, as far as I concern, the country economy is
more or less relying on small and medium businesses. However, without
innovation, small and medium businesses will suffer more and will become less
competitive against global competitors.
Therefore, in my humble opinion, although the foreign investments
is essential to drive the economy forward, it is also important that there
should be a breeding ground for small and medium businesses to enjoy the
technological spillovers and can thrive and become strong enough for the global
market.
Towards Innovative Society
Last few years, it could have been unimaginable for US
President visiting Myanmar (Burma). However, the situation has become better
and it is really grateful to the President Obama to encourage moving forward.
However, as the President stated, it is just the beginning.
However, US set the best example to follow for any country: within 200 years,
US has changed from the wild land into the world’s leading country.
To build innovative society cannot happen overnight; it will
take a lot of resources, knowledge, capacity and so on. However, the first step
of innovative society is the philosophical attitude – to make things better
than they are.
Therefore, if we can make things better than yesterday,
needless to say, we will be able to reach the innovative society, in which innovative
and democratic values are ubiquitous.
Source: http://www.globalinnovationindex.org/gii/main/fullreport/files/Global%20Innovation%20Index%202012.pdf
