The role of language and culture in technological innovation

• Main Author: Sopazi, Peaceman Ndodoxolo
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Technological innovations; Technology - Social aspects
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8781

Ph.D. (Engineering Management) === This thesis explores the association between language, culture, and technological innovation. This is accomplished by examining primary data, and literature that is based on empirical research on the interplay between language, culture, and technological innovation. Multi, intra, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary perspectives are accordingly studied. The intent is to identify, assess and explicate language and cultural factors that support or act as barriers to technological innovativeness. The nature of the role played by these factors is also explored and explained. The methodology employed incorporates both the indigenous and foreign experiences through literature, case studies and primary data. The aim of this study is to understand better how to assist those nations that aspire to be technologically innovative. This research considers the characteristics of the innovation process, and the views and/or characteristics of the innovator. In other words, despite that a historically innovative person or nation and a user or a process of innovation, may all not know precisely why there is an innovation, they can still contribute to the inquiry. Relevant literature, case studies and interviews are used to identify the distinctive patterns and behaviours that characterize innovative people and processes. The thesis creates a theoretical framework that is useful for identifying the intrinsic nature and the rate of influence at various stages during the role played by language and cultural factors in technological innovation. The main contribution and conclusion of this thesis is that, language and/or cultural backgrounds do in fact positively contribute to technological innovation. However, when it comes to promoting and marketing the innovation, the business language plays a more significant role. It is further demonstrated that one’s national or primary culture, in response to needs, exposure, challenges, attitudes, beliefs, and values does play a critical role during the idea generation phase of the technological innovation process.