Research on the Popularization and Application of the TRIZ Theory in Shanxi
Province
Jing-wen An, Xiao-chuan Wang
School of Management, China University of Mining & Technology (Beijing), Beijing, China
(wangxiaochuan5852@163.com)
Abstract - The lagging capability of independent
innovation has been a bottleneck which restricts the
economic and social development in Shanxi Province
for a long time. The popularization and application of
innovation approaches is the fundamental way to
accelerate the development of innovation in Shanxi
Province. The main purpose of this article is to indepth study the core value of the TRIZ theory, which
is how to improve the regional innovation capability;
by analyzing the usage of innovation approaches in
Shanxi Province, to point out achievements and
problems, and to provide relevant ensuring measures;
thus ensuring and promoting that the implementation
of the TRIZ theory in Shanxi Province would be
effective and smooth.
Keywords - TRIZ, popularization and application,
independent innovation
I. INTRODUCTION
Innovation is the eternal topic regarding the survival
and development of a business or even a country. Today,
improving the independent innovation capability and
accelerating the advancing progress of science and
technology has become a basic strategy for the
development of the world. In the fifth plenary session,
October 2005, President Hu Jintao clearly proposed a
strategic thought, which is to build China as an
innovation-oriented country. Later, Wang Dahang, Liu
Dongsheng and Ye Duzheng three scientists raised an
important theory “Independent innovation, Method in
advance and Innovation approaches are sources of
independent innovation” in Proposal on strengthening the
work of innovation approaches, and it is obtained
important instructions from the prime minister Wen
Jiabao. To effectively popularize advanced technology
innovation approaches, the Ministry of Science and
Technology of China launched pilot projects for
popularizing technology innovation approaches in
Heilongjiang and Sichuan province [1]. By using the
advanced scientific innovation method, the efficiency and
effectiveness of innovation can be improved. The TRIZ
theory is one of the most influential theories in the field of
innovation design and research. The TRIZ theory can
make people follow the nature to innovate, and accelerate
the efficiency and quality of innovations, and completely
solve problems [2]. The TRIZ theory has been widely
applied in the developed countries from Europe, America
and Asia, and achieved great success. It is selected from
more than 360 kinds of existing innovative methods, and
Chinese government put an emphasis on the importance
of it. Nowadays, the theory has been introduced into
provinces and cities in China, and has effectively
popularized and applied in local enterprises.
As a Province with plenty of resource, Shanxi is an
important energy and industry base in China, and its
development directly affects the implementation of the
strategy of the rise of the central region in China. Because
of the slow development of independent innovation in
recent years, the economy in Shanxi is facing severely
problems such as low added value of science and
technology products, lack of sustainable development
ability, which restrict the development of this region. It
gives expressions in: (1) Resource-intensive and laborintensive industries accounts for a big proportion of
industrial structure in Shanxi Province, which restricts the
development of sustainable economy. It needs to speed up
the technology innovation and new product development,
and to promote the existing industries to transform to
technology-intensive and high-technology industries, then
speed up the pace of the optimization and upgrading of
the industry; (2) As an important coal resource province
in China, Shanxi Province has made a major contribution
to the national economic development, but paid a huge
price for the resources and environment impact at the
same time, ecological environment situation is not
optimistic. The combination of environment protection
and economic development should be settled as soon as
possible, and it is a typical sustainable development
model [3].
Therefore, as a heavy chemical energy base which
coal resources is the core, the future development of
Shanxi Province should take a new way to industrialize,
which is informatization drives industrialization on while
industrialization boosts informatization, and make a new
industrialization pathway of high quality of technology,
little environmental pollution, low consumption of
resources and full usage of human resources. The strategic
is to build a new energy and industry base, thus it needs to
upgrade and reform traditional industries, to optimize the
industrial structure, and to change the mode of economic
growth, and efforts should be made during the creation of
new technology, new process, optimized product quality
and product structure, and raise the contribution rate from
the advancement of science to economy, so as to realize
the rapid growth of intensive and connotative regional
economy [4]. To accomplish it, it requires enough industry
technical support, and it is urgent to improve the
independent innovation capacity of the region. Shanxi
Province should realize the importance of independent
innovation. In the supporting and guidance from the
Ministry of Science and Technology of China, the
provincial government should popularize and apply the
TRIZ theory, improve the level of science and
technology, then lead national innovative provinces and
cities.
TRIZ problem model
Unsolved problem
Transform
TRIZ
Tools
Obtain
scheme
Screen
II. THEORY
The Chinese translation of the TRIZ theory is “A
Theory of Inventive Problem Solving", was established by
the former Soviet inventor Genrich Saulovich Altshuller
in 1946 [5].Through analyzing over 250 million inventions
and integrating multi-disciplinary theories and rules, the
research team led by G.S. Altshuller summarized various
general rules and principles which must be followed
during inventing, and established the TRIZ theory system
that known as the "magic golden touch", then after the
practice and development for over 60 years, by now it has
become a mature theory and method system in solving the
invention problems [6].
TRIZ theory, with the technology evolution principle
as the core, is a theory & method system in solving the
invention problems, and mainly includes nine classical
theory systems :①8 laws of technical systems evolution;
②Ideal final result (IFR); ③40 inventive principles; ④39
features of Altshuller’s Contradiction Matrix;⑤Physical
contradiction and 4 separation principles; ⑥Substancefield analysis; ⑦76 standard solutions ;⑧Algorithm of
inventive problems solving (ARIZ); ⑨Effect knowledge
base[7] .
Fig. 1.TRIZ Theory System
As shown in figure 1 - TRIZ problem-solving mode,
firstly expressing the unsolved invention problem under
the TRIZ problem model, then use TRIZ tools to find out
the universal solution, finally the optimal solution of the
problem can be determined based on the knowledge base
and relevant experience。 It is a process which guides
and inspires innovation personnel to approach ideal result.
Optimal solution
Universal solution
Fig. 2. The TRIZ Problem-Solving Method
III. THE TRIZ’S MECHANISM OF IMPROVING
REGIONAL INNOVATION CAPABILITY
The core of the regional innovation system consists of
two levels: the subjects of the regional innovation, as well
as connections between them [8]. It refers to a such
innovative system ： In the process of interaction and
collaborative innovation where technology innovation is
used as a link, and through the rational allocation of
innovative talents, funds, material and information
resources for innovation, local governments, universities
and research institutes, science and technology agencies,
and other innovation subjects from a certain geographical
area, gradually format a innovative network system which
contains creating, stockpiling and transferring knowledge,
skills and new products, and it is also a complex adaptive
social system, in which the innovation subjects and
environment
make
coordination
and
common
development [9]. As shown in Figure 3, the local
government is responsible for macro-guidance and
regulation of innovation activities. Universities and
research institutes engage in knowledge innovation and
technological research. Technology agencies provide
financial support, information consultation, transfer of
scientific achievements, technology appraisal and forecast
and other innovation services. Enterprises are the main
practitioners in innovation activities thus they need strong
support from other innovation subjects. Four innovative
subjects and their external environments interact and
influent each other. They joint control the operation of the
regional innovation system. It also can be clearly seen that,
external environment closely links to the operation and
development of regional innovation system. Through the
impact of environmental, TRIZ affects the innovation
system of the four regional innovation systems and its
four internal subjects. The popularization and the
application of TRIZ can create a good atmosphere for
regional innovation system, which make innovation main
body fully aware of the necessity and importance of the
independent innovation.
The spread of this innovative ideas and ideals of regional
innovation system will form a kind of invisible traction
power to local governments, universities and research
institutes, science and technology agencies and enterprises,
and gradually improves the consciousness of innovation,
makes them more positive to do well in their respective
regional innovation systems. All subjects should support
each other, compliment advantages, and innovate
collaboratively, therefore it will cause synergy effect on
regional innovation system, and the regional innovation
capacity can be increased.
Enterprise
Information
University
and
Research
Institute
Material
Fund
Science
and
Technology
Agency
Local
Government
External Environment
Fig.3. Regional innovation system diagram
TRIZ has already been widely popularized and applied
in the developed countries, and achieved great success.
Chinese government now also pays a great attention and
starts to apply and popularize it in national scope. The
introduction of the TRIZ theory, will bring ideas and
advanced creative thoughts to the regional innovation
system, including encouraging to break thinking inertia
and overcoming professional knowledge limitations,
focus on problem from innovation frontier, exploring and
studying harder, refer to other advanced innovation
methods, innovative achievements and innovative ideas;
Thoughts&
ideas
Each innovation subjects
could collaboratively
innovate
Provide
Methods& tools
Accelerates cooperation of
each innovation subjects
Improve
External
environment
Communicate
Popularization
&Application
of TRIZ
Based on the above research, a mechanism model can
be built, which is used for popularizing and applying
TRIZ to improve the regional innovation capability,
shown in Figure 3. The popularization and application of
TRIZ not only expresses advanced innovative ideas and
concepts to the regional innovation system; thus each
innovation subjects could collaboratively innovate, but
also provides a clear picture and standardized methods
and tools for solving innovation problems, and accelerates
cooperation of each subjects and strengthen the effect. In
the mean time, it accelerates the development and
evolution of regional innovation system by improving the
environment for innovation. It can be clearly seen that the
popularization and application of the TRIZ theory can be
conducted through above three approaches, and they
ensure that the regional innovation system can be
efficiently and orderly operated; thus achieving the
purpose of constantly emerging innovations and
increasing the overall regional innovation capability. In
contrast, the result can help on further improving the
TRIZ theory system, popularizing and applying more
advanced innovative methods, and forms a virtuous circle.
Orderly accelerate the
development and evolution of
regional innovation system
Regional innovation
system is running
efficient and orderly
Continue to emerge of
independent innovation
achievements
Regional innovation
capability have been
fully upgraded
Fig.4. Mechanism model of popularizing & applying TRIZ to improve the regional innovation capability
IV. ANALYSIS ON POPULARIZATION AND
APPLICATION OF REGION INNOVATION
APPROACHES IN SHANXI PROVINCE
In the past few years, “The suggestions about
improving innovation methods” from the Ministry of
Science and Technology of China and other three
departments has been thoroughly implemented in Shanxi
Province. Considering the provincial situation, the
government focuses on training, and launches pilot
projects, and uses typical practice as guidance. Based on
the research, the popularization and application of the
innovation approaches and the TRIZ theory, the
government launches a series of works, and achieves good
results. Shanxi Province relies on the supporting from the
central government and fully exerts advantages of
corporations’ CAST work. Through speaking tours,
expert talks, and pilot enterprise trainings, the training of
innovation approaches is widely publicized. It stimulates
the public and corporations’ enthusiasm for learning and
innovating, and they are awareness of the importance of
the application of TRIZ. The tour of speaking activates
regarding innovation approaches produce a positive
response, and the demand of innovation approach training
is increasing. A university professor also gives a positive
comment on it. In this case, the Association of Science
and Technology of Shanxi selects Taiyuan Heavy
Machinery Group Co., Ltd. as a pilot, performs
technology innovation (TRIZ theory) training to technical
staffs and managers from the enterprise, and it solves
several technical problems for the company. The action
plays a good role as demonstration and guidance for
promoting TRIZ training in province-wide. Meanwhile,
the Association of Science and Technology continues to
strengthen the corporations’ CAST work, uses innovation
approach training as an important part of activities “Speak
& Compare”, which accelerates the pace of independent
innovation of enterprises.
In the process of popularizing and applying
innovation approaches, Shanxi Province achieves several
excellent results; however, there are also some problems
that restrict the development of region’s capability of
independent innovation.
1) The sense of innovation and attention to the
advanced innovation approaches need to be improved.
Compared with Beijing, Shanghai and other developed
provinces, the sense of innovation in Shanxi Province is
weak, and the awareness and concern of advanced
innovation approach of TRIZ is not enough. The incentive
is not perfect either, and the corporations are lack of
initiative and persistence of innovation activities.
2) Lack of funds for scientific and technological
activities and popularizing innovation approaches. This is
the main barrier which limits the application of TRIZ in
Shanxi Province, making the innovation approach training
cannot fully carried out, also restricts the introduction of
foreign experts and advanced software tools.
3) Lack of teachers and innovation talents for the
TRIZ theory. Existing teachers are far from being able to
meet the province's training needs, and professional
standards should be completed. The lagging development
of the provincial research institutes is another issue.
Because of lack of professional and technical person and
skilled talent, there is a serious shortage of technological
innovations.
4) The agency system is not strong. According to
the experience from developed countries, for either the
international business or small and medium-sized
enterprises, the process of learning and mastering TRIZ
theory from agencies is very important. Industry
associations and agency organizations play a very
important role in popularizing the applying TRIZ [10].
However, the influence of agencies in Shanxi Province is
still weak and small-scale, and they cannot provide
professional services. The last but not the least, the
traditional education which is exam-oriented has serious
drawbacks for a long time. Students in primary school are
not encouraged to innovative thinking, and train their
sense of innovation. It restricts the popularization and
application of TRIZ theory from the source.
V. SAFEGUARDS FOR POPULARIZING AND
APPLYING THE TRIZ THEORY IN SHANXI
The problems mentioned above affected the progress
and result of popularizing the TRIZ theory in Shanxi
Province. In order to overcome restrictions, to ensure the
implementation of the TRIZ theory in Shanxi effectively,
and to enhance overall regional innovation capability, the
following safeguards should be established after
analyzing Shanxi’s actual situation and geographical
characteristics.
1) Policies and regulations which encourage
independent innovations should be established, and create
a favorable environment for innovation. It is an important
guarantee for popularizing and applying TRIZ.
Government should strengthen the relevant provisions and
regulations, revise and improve the existing regulations,
continue to regulate the popularization of innovation
approaches and protect R & D transformation, and build
an evaluation system. The IPR protection system should
be further improved with strengthening law enforcement,
and it would protect the interests and enthusiasm of
innovators. Also, technology innovations should be
rewarded from financial side. The improvement of
financial supporting system and risk investment
mechanism would drive companies for more innovations.
2) Strengthening the TRIZ professional team by
training and abstracting talents. Innovation talent is the
key for regional innovation capacity building, and TRIZ
professionals should be trained and attracted through
various channels and a variety of ways. The government
should also focuses on team building and reserves young
talents. Shanxi Province should implement the program of
abstracting TRIZ professionals right away. The program
should include increasing the investment in research and
income for innovation talents, providing funding to
professionals, and establishing an evaluation and
incentive system.
3) Agencies system should be perfected, and also
need to establish TRIZ agencies and related associations.
Based on the requirements for the development of
technology innovation in Shanxi Province, the
government should drafts relevant preferential policies
and development plans for agencies, and makes sure that
the area distribution, geographical distribution, as well as
the types and levels are reasonable. In particular,
increasing the supporting for the construction and
development of TRIZ agencies and industry associations,
and enhancing the service quality. The management of
TRIZ agencies should also be regulated, and the
government has to switch its role from lead position to an
agent. The agencies service would become a major force
for popularization and application of the TRIZ theory in
Shanxi Province [11].
4) Reformation of the education system, promoting
the quality education, and bring up the sense of
innovation in public. Innovation education should be
executed from kids, and independent thinking, practice
and innovating should be encouraged. In addition, the
government should publicize TRIZ theory through
various media, and enhances the public awareness of
innovation.
V I. CONCLUSION
The TRIZ theory founded by Altshuller is actually a
method and tool for invention and innovation. It
successfully reveals the internal rules and principles of
invention, and makes the innovation become orderly to
follow, and is no longer blind and accidental; It can help
people developing innovative thinking, breaking thinking
inertia, accurately grasping the problem and finding the
final direction and then to explore the optimal solution,
thus greatly improving the speed and quality of
innovation behaviors; It can help us predict and grasp the
trend of technology innovation based on the nature of
technology system evolution. TRIZ could be called the
Marxist philosophy in scientific field and the Bible which
should be read by technologists '".
The main means of popularizing TRIZ innovation
tools and enhancing enterprises' independent innovation
capability are the keys of constructing technical
innovation system in which using enterprise as the main
body, production, research and study combined as a group.
It is from the source of the independent innovation, and a
work of building the innovative country's groundbreaking,
long-term and basis. As an underdeveloped resourcing
province, the lag of the regional innovation capability
chronically restricts the development of economy and
society in Shanxi Province. Using TRIZ can speed up and
improve the independent innovation capability and the
comprehensive competitiveness of Shanxi. We should try
to popularize and apply the TRIZ theory well in Shanxi
Province combining the actual situation, and make full
use of all kinds of innovation resources. The
popularization and application of the TRIZ theory can
help enterprises improving the efficiency and the quality
of innovation, and help the Shanxi Province increasing the
independent innovation capability, accelerating the
process of innovative province construction, achieving the
sustainable development of regional economy with
exhausted coal resources, smoothly passing the critical
period of "Transformational development and Leaping
development", and effectively and efficiently achieving
the goal of building a "Innovative Shanxi".
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