Co-organizer: Prof. Lynn Xu, (XJTLU, China)

Imagine a complex web of connections that spans across different countries and regions. This web involves companies, suppliers, and even governments, working together to create, transform, and distribute products or services. These interconnected nodes and links form what we call a global production network (GPN). Your smartphone, for example, is not just assembled in one place; it’s a result of collaboration across borders. The design might happen in Silicon Valley, the display is manufactured in Korea, and the assembly takes place in China.

Along this network, information, materials, and expertise must flow seamlessly. But GPNs are not just about factories and supply chains; they’re about partnership, innovation, and the intricate dance of global economic activity.

In many countries, special economic zones and industrial parks (IP) have been established to facilitate coupling between GPNs. The success of the so-called Asian tigers and China are typical examples of this development model. Industrial Parks can also be joint ventures, and Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), founded in 1994 as a partnership between Singapore and China, is regarded as one of the flagship projects of this kind and a great learning resource for the Global Innovation Family.

The global supply chain is now in the process of another restructuring and there is an emerging trend of establishing industry parks in manydeveloping countries. RTOs may conduct cutting-edge research on supply chain resilience, digitalization, and sustainable practices. Industry parks, on the other hand, provide a physical space where companies can experiment with new supply chain models. By co-locating within industry parks, RTOs gain access to real-world data and challenges, enabling them to develop innovative solutions.

Industry parks also act as vibrant ecosystems where RTOs, startups, and established companies converge. Such hubs foster cross-sector collaboration, allowing RTOs to share their research findings directly with industry players. Joint initiatives emerge, such as pilot projects to optimize last-mile delivery, reduce lead times, or improve inventory management.

The changing supply chain landscape also demands a skilled workforce, capable of navigating digital transformations. RTOs can collaborate with industry parks to design training programs that address emerging needs. Whether it’s upskilling supply chain professionals in data analytics or fostering a culture of innovation, such partnerships ensure that talent aligns with industry requirements.

In summary, RTOs and industry parks can potentially form a powerful alliance—one that combines research excellence, practical application, and talent development. Together, they drive innovation, enhance supply chain efficiency, and shape the future of global commerce. As such, this breakout track gives WAITRO members a chance to learn how RTOs and IPs can work for mutual benefit, with the experiences of SIP as a case study. This session broadens the discourse on “From Innovation to Impact” by connecting “impact” to tangible regional development, particularly in underdeveloped regions, and by contextualizing “innovation” within the framework of GPNs.

Goals:

• Understand trends and challenges of reshaping global production networks under the restructuring of global supply chains.
• Using the success of SIP as a case study, develop ideas for win-win partnerships between RTOs and industry parks in various WAITRO regions.

Sub-Session 1: Keynotes, with discussion

• Keynote One: GPN: a perspective for understanding global and regions
• Keynote Two: SIP: a case study of continued growth and innovation
• Keynote Three: RBI: a platform for gaining development and cooperation opportunities

Sub-Session 2: Roundtable Dialogue

A roundtable dialogue will gather guests from government, industry, practitioners and academics including and academic staff from XJTLU with diverse backgrounds. XJTLU staff will perform the role of host. This roundtable will surround the nexus between SIP experiences, CPN reconstruction, and the development BRI, which will provide a comprehensive discussion about the keynote speeches through clarifying the internal relation within these agencies. The topic of Summit 2024, “from innovation to impact” will be the main axis of this part, guests and hosts will provide diverse perspectives to understand the topic and strategies for facilitating the development of underdeveloped regions.