A case study of the technology innovation of Shanxi Ying-County Minghe Ceramics Co. Ltd. in China

Shanxi Ying-County Minghe Ceramics Co. Ltd. is a successful privately-owned enterprise (POE) which continuously puts its efforts into technology innovation and pursues sustainable development. The advantages that Ying-County- Ceramics Co. Ltd. possesses in its technological innovation include strong innovative awareness, superior production technology and gradual standardization in production and management. However, the, shortage of technical personnel, difficulty in finance and the exterior environment influence as well as problems in management all restrain the technology innovation. Technology innovation is the inexhaustible drive for the sustainable development of POEs. For this reason, the entrepreneurs of POEs must update their thinking and gear their family businesses toward society-oriented business. This case study shows that certain procedures needed to help with POEs technology innovation. For example, the government should further ameliorate the environment in which POEs operate their business. Vhereas, POEs should actively carry out their internal innovation and putting them in place and completing internal stimulation systems, as well as motivate employees of all calibers and educated technical personnel in particular. In addition, POEs need also to change their conventional practices and safeguard the lawful rights of their employees to build a harmonious labor relationship. And above all, POEs must plan their technological innovation comprehensively based on the demand and needs of the market and as the same time adopt effective enterprise innovative strategies and patterns. The research is subsidized by the foundation of Soft Science of Shanxi (No.2006041005-04).