By Ranada Robinson, Project Associate.

 Many feel that innovation and technology transfer are the keys to future economic growth.  With the decline in manufacturing jobs, math, science, and engineering fields have become increasingly important.  In a report recently published by Newsweek, attitudes about innovation and global competitiveness were compared across nationalities.   As I’ve become more acclimated to the consulting world, I’ve learned that the old saying “perception is reality” has merit.  So as we move into a time where technological advances are more prevalent and imperative, it’s important to understand not only the quantitative pieces (the data/facts), but also the qualitative pieces (the attitudes/perceptions).  

Nearly half of the Americans surveyed viewed the United States as lagging behind countries like China and India with regard to advances in the tech industry; however, the Chinese tended to favor the U.S. as the world's technology leader, particularly when it came to product quality.  In terms of reasons Americans think the U.S. is lagging behind its competitors, the majority point to a lag in math and science education.  Other point to a lack of support from the federal government, while others point to a lack of investment by American businesses.  Still others blame a lack of skills among American workers.  However, the Chinese respondents placed more emphasis on a need for emphasizing problem solving skills and business skills.  The survey indicated that Chinese parents place a higher value on creative problem solving, entrepreneurial skills, and knowledge of the world’s cultures than do American parents.  American parents overwhelmingly voiced math and science skills education as the tool children will need impact innovation.  

Also very intriguing are the differences between perspectives regarding what industry the next “big thing” will be.  Both Americans and Chinese recognized Energy and Computers/Electronics as promising business sectors, but Americans also look to Healthcare and Telecommunications as important emerging sectors, unlike the Chinese.  

Overall, the next 20-30 years should make for interesting strides in technology with the children of the Digital Age pushing themselves to the very limit of their imaginations and attempting to capture the technology flag for their respective countries and their economies.  I’ll look forward to how perceptions have changed by then.