Expert Opinion on the Significance of the Innovation Center
Josef Mondl is one of the most renowned Swiss experts on the relationship and networking between Switzerland and China, as well as other Asian countries. He served for over 20 years at the University of St. Gallen, where he was also the long-standing director of the "China Competence Center". Today, Josef Mondl remains active in the field, for instance, as the "Chief Strategy Officer" at the TAO China Center Switzerland, a consultancy for Swiss and international companies regarding the Chinese market and China as a partner. A few years ago, he founded the "World Association for Sustainable Digital Transformation," which deals with sustainability in digital transformation in key areas such as FinTech, government and society, education, agriculture, healthcare, and culture on a global scale.
We asked him for his assessment of the idea behind the Innovation Center Rapperswil. What benefits can the Innovation Center create for Swiss companies and institutions?
Josef Mondl points out that China has become so influential in international markets that companies need to engage with China and develop competencies, even if they are not active in the Chinese market or do business with Chinese partners. One cannot ignore China when active in other Asian or African countries, whether as sales or supply markets.
"The dynamics of China's development since the 1990s have achieved enormous economic progress and are increasingly shaping international markets. This has created and continues to create market and growth opportunities in China itself for Swiss companies, but increasingly also in those world markets where Chinese companies or economically driven initiatives of the Chinese government are being increasingly advanced and reshape the local environment. In recent decades, the focus of export-oriented and internationally active companies from Switzerland has been heavily on the Chinese domestic market. Now, it is increasingly important to understand the rapid expansion activities of the Chinese economy in the global market and to adjust their own strategy accordingly, to optimally and especially in collaboration with Chinese partners, seize the opportunities that arise in those markets."
According to Mr. Mondl, this is why building competence in relation to China and Asia is extremely important for Swiss companies with international supply chains or markets. However, there are still significant deficits and a need to catch up.
"All this requires competence building in Western, European, and Swiss companies, in politics and science, education and industry. Despite China's decades-long development, the West is still far behind in this respect – we simply lack the framework and a strategic approach to this competence building. Remedies can only be provided in the medium and long term by competence partners who are well anchored in both 'worlds' and can build a real bridge. There are various approaches to function as competence platforms, such as networking events, lectures and seminars, exploratory trips to China, etc. However, there is a lack of consistency, thorough preparation and follow-up, support, and necessary integration. Here, physical centers of exchange and integration would be ideal: they offer an ecosystem that can function as a 'One-Stop-Shop'. Especially young and inexperienced entrepreneurs, who often lack the necessary financial resources for a successful market entry into China, can find a good environment here."
The Innovation Center Rapperswil can function as a "One-Stop-Shop" and promote this competence building – in both directions.
"A competence center, like the proposed 'Innovation Center Rapperswil', could – if well structured and correctly aligned with the actual needs of the target groups, especially start-ups – provide valuable support and ideally bridge the understanding between the 'West' and China."
