The Second Globelics Conference, entitled “Innovation Systems and Development: Emerging Opportunities and Challenges,” was held in Beijing, China, from October 16 to 20, 2004. Hosted by the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University, the conference represented an important milestone in the consolidation of the Globelics network following its successful launch in Rio de Janeiro in 2003. Bringing together nearly 200 scholars from more than thirty countries, the event strengthened international collaboration in the fields of innovation studies, economic development, and competence building.
The conference focused on the relationship between innovation systems and development, particularly in the context of emerging and developing economies. Participants examined how countries can build technological capabilities, strengthen institutions, and promote learning processes that support sustainable economic growth. The conference theme reflected a growing interest in understanding how innovation contributes not only to competitiveness but also to broader social and developmental objectives.
A central figure in the organization and intellectual leadership of the conference was Bengt-Åke Lundvall, the founder of Globelics and one of the most influential scholars in the field of innovation systems. Lundvall played a crucial role in shaping the conference agenda and promoting dialogue among researchers from both developed and developing countries. His work on national innovation systems provided much of the conceptual foundation for the discussions held throughout the event.
The conference was hosted by Tsinghua University, where Xu Qingrui and other Chinese scholars contributed significantly to the organization of the meeting. Their efforts helped position China as an important participant in the international innovation studies community. During the opening ceremony, Tsinghua Vice President Xie Weihe welcomed delegates and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in advancing research on innovation and technological development. Chen Zhangwu, representing the School of Economics and Management, highlighted the value of global academic exchange and expressed appreciation for the support provided by Lundvall and the broader Globelics network.
The scientific direction of the conference was influenced by several leading members of the Globelics community. Richard Nelson, one of the pioneers of the national innovation systems approach, contributed to discussions on economic development and institutional change. Luc Soete brought his expertise on innovation policy and globalization, while José Eduardo Cassiolato continued to advocate for greater attention to the experiences of developing countries. Other influential figures included Mammo Muchie and Shulin Gu, both of whom played important roles in expanding Globelics’ international reach and promoting research on innovation in emerging economies.
Throughout the conference, participants explored topics such as the historical evolution of innovation systems, organizational learning, regional and sectoral innovation systems, industrial clusters, innovation policy, intellectual property rights, social equity, and development strategies. These discussions reflected the conference’s commitment to understanding innovation as a systemic process involving firms, universities, governments, and other institutions.
Overall, the Second Globelics Conference strengthened the network’s global presence and reinforced its mission of promoting research on innovation and development. By bringing together leading scholars and policymakers in Beijing, the conference expanded the dialogue on how innovation systems can support economic growth, technological learning, and sustainable development across different regions of the world.