ArtTech – the intersection of art and technology – holds tremendous potential to contribute to sustainable urban development and address social issues. By leveraging technological innovations and artistic expression, ArtTech can drive creativity, participation, and inclusiveness, leading to positive transformations in cities. In this article, a research team from the Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace) delves into the general theory of the relationship between ArtTech and sustainable urban development, explores success stories from other countries, assesses their applicability to Vietnam, and proposes recommendations for using ArtTech to advance sustainable development.

Can ArtTech Help Us Build Sustainable Cities?

ArtTech is a field that combines art and technology to create new and innovative forms of expression. It has the potential to contribute to sustainable urban development in several ways:

1. a) Engaging citizens in planning and developing their cities: ArtTech can be used to create interactive and engaging experiences that help people understand the challenges and opportunities their cities face. This can lead to increased civic participation and support for sustainable development initiatives.
2. b) Promoting awareness of environmental issues: ArtTech can be used to raise awareness about environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, and resource depletion. This can help change people’s behavior and encourage them to adopt more sustainable lifestyles.
3. c) Developing new technologies for sustainable living: ArtTech can be used to develop new technologies that can help people live more sustainably. For example, ArtTech can be used to create smart energy grids, water management systems, and transportation systems.
4. d) Creating more livable and equitable cities: ArtTech can be used to create more livable and equitable cities by promoting social inclusion, cultural diversity, and economic opportunities. For instance, ArtTech can be used to create public art projects that bring people together or to develop digital platforms that connect people from different backgrounds.

Drawing from research on ArtTech, the Dubai Palace author team applied a qualitative research method, using desk research to systematically review existing documents, reports, online sources, and documented success stories about art technology initiatives from different countries. Subsequently, the authors focused on typical case studies to analyze these success stories and grasp their impact on sustainable urban development and their applicability to Vietnam.

ArtTech Solutions Around the World

“The Bay Lights” Project – San Francisco, USA

“The Bay Lights” project in San Francisco involved transforming the San Francisco Bay Bridge into an illuminated masterpiece using 25,000 LED lights. The project required extensive planning, design, and installation over a two-year period, from 2013 to 2015.

The project delivered several impacts:

(1) Economic and tourism promotion: The project attracted tourists and generated economic benefits for the city. It increased traffic, created opportunities for local businesses, and generated revenue from tourism-related activities.

(2) Cultural identity and civic pride: “The Bay Lights” became an iconic symbol of San Francisco, enhancing the city’s cultural identity. It instilled civic pride in residents, becoming a beloved landmark and source of inspiration.

(3) Public engagement and social bonds: The project sparked public engagement as residents embraced and celebrated the illuminated bridge. It created opportunities for community interactions, shared experiences, and strengthened social bonds among diverse groups.

(4) Urban regeneration and beautification: “The Bay Lights” transformed the urban landscape, converting a utilitarian bridge into a culturally significant landmark and stunning visual feature. It revitalized the area, attracted attention, and improved the overall aesthetics of the city.

From this, the author team drew lessons and recommendations for Vietnam as follow:

First, transforming urban spaces: Vietnam can consider large-scale art installations to revitalize urban areas and transform infrastructure. By integrating art and technology into public spaces, Vietnam can create visually appealing landmarks that engage the public, tourism, and civic pride.

Second, collaboration and sponsorship: Collaboration among artists, city authorities, and private organizations can facilitate the funding, expertise, and community support necessary for such ambitious projects. Collaborative efforts can ensure successful and sustainable implementation of large-scale art installations in Vietnam.

Third, balancing artistic vision and sustainability: Vietnam should carefully consider the environmental impact and long-term sustainability of art installations. Incorporating sustainable practices, such as using energy-efficient lighting systems or incorporating renewable energy sources, will help projects align with sustainable development goals and contribute to the overall prosperity of the city.

Figure 1. “The Bay Lights” Project – San Francisco, USA

‘The Bay Lights’, City of Owe.

“Digital Stories” for Disadvantaged Communities – Canada

In Canada, “Digital Stories” projects have been implemented to empower disadvantaged communities, such as Indigenous groups and immigrant populations, to share their stories through digital media. These projects typically include workshops, storytelling sessions, and media production training. The implementation period for these projects can range from several weeks to several months.

These projects have delivered several impacts:

(1) Empowerment and cultural preservation: The projects empower disadvantaged communities by providing them with a platform to reclaim their narratives, challenge stereotypes, and promote cultural diversity. Participants acquire skills in digital media production, storytelling techniques, and technology, enabling them to document and preserve their cultural heritage.

(2) Community bonds and social understanding: “Digital Stories” projects foster community bonds as participants engage in a collective process of sharing personal stories and experiences. They promote dialogue, understanding, and empathy among diverse groups, bridging social divides and encouraging intercultural exchange.

(3) Enhanced visibility and awareness: The projects raise awareness about the experiences, challenges, and contributions of disadvantaged communities. By amplifying their voices through digital platforms, these projects increase visibility and understanding, challenge stereotypes, and promote social inclusion.

(4) Creative and economic opportunities: The skills acquired through digital storytelling projects can create opportunities for participants to pursue creative careers, freelance work, or entrepreneurial ventures in media production. This contributes to their economic empowerment and long-term sustainability.

From this, the authors propose ideas for Vietnam:

First, digital skills training and cultural preservation: Vietnam can develop training programs that equip vulnerable communities with digital storytelling skills. These programs should focus on empowering participants to document and share their stories, preserve cultural heritage, and promote cross-cultural understanding. Collaboration with cultural organizations, such as museums and libraries, can provide resources and platforms for showcasing and archiving digital stories.

Second, inclusive technology access and platforms: Vietnam needs to ensure equitable access to digital tools and technology, narrowing the digital divide for disadvantaged communities. Providing support, such as equipment, training, and affordable internet access, can enable broader participation and ensure equal opportunities for storytelling.

Third, partnerships and community engagement: Collaboration with community organizations, educational institutions, and media professionals can enhance the impact of “Digital Storytelling” projects. These partnerships can provide expertise, resources, and mentorship support, fostering a sustainable ecosystem for storytelling initiatives in Vietnam.

“I Light Marina Bay” Festival – Singapore

The “I Light Marina Bay” festival is an annual light art festival in Singapore showcasing creative installations and interactive displays. The festival typically runs for several weeks and features collaboration with domestic and international artists, architects, and technologists.

This project has delivered several impacts:

(1) Tourism and economy: The festival attracts domestic and international tourists, contributing to the tourism industry and generating economic benefits for the city. It stimulates local businesses and creates employment opportunities.

(2) Public space activation: The festival activates public spaces, creating opportunities for social interactions, entertainment, and community bonding. It encourages residents and tourists to explore and appreciate public spaces in a new light.

(3) Sustainability and energy awareness: “I Light Marina Bay” focuses on showcasing sustainable lighting technologies, raising awareness about energy conservation and promoting environmental stewardship.

(4) Cultural exchange and appreciation: The festival promotes cultural exchange by showcasing works from domestic and international artists. It encourages dialogue, appreciation, and understanding of diverse artistic expressions and cultural perspectives.

From this, the authors propose ideas for Vietnam:

First, light art festivals: Vietnam can organize light art festivals in major cities to activate public spaces, attract tourists, and stimulate the local economy. Such festivals create opportunities for residents and tourists to engage with art and technology in dynamic and interactive ways.

Second, focus on sustainability: Vietnam should prioritize the use of sustainable lighting technologies and environmentally friendly installation systems for light art festivals. By showcasing environmentally conscious artworks, Vietnam can raise awareness about energy conservation and promote sustainable practices among residents and tourists.

Third, cultural exchange and talent development: Encouraging participation from domestic and international artists can enhance cultural exchange, celebrate diversity, and nurture artistic talent in Vietnam. Vietnam can create platforms that support collaboration, networking, and knowledge sharing among artists, fostering creativity and cultural enrichment.

Figure 2. Alone Together by Singapore artist Ping and Ian (Image source: )

Parking Day Project – San Francisco

The Parking Day project began in 2005 in San Francisco as a one-day event. It involves the temporary transformation of parking spaces into public parks, encouraging community participation and reimagining urban space usage. Since then, the project has expanded globally and is held annually on the third Friday of September.

Project results and impacts:

(1) Public awareness and engagement: The project raises awareness about the importance of public space and prompts people to reimagine urban environments. It encourages community participation, sparking conversations about urban design and the need for more green spaces.

(2) Community interaction and social bonding: Parking Day fosters community interaction by providing spaces for people to gather, relax, and engage in activities. It brings neighbors together, strengthens social bonds, and enhances the sense of community ownership of public spaces.

(3) Advocacy for sustainable and livable cities: The project highlights the potential of converting parking lots into green areas, promoting sustainability and advocating for pedestrian-friendly cities with improved air quality and reduced congestion.

(4) Policy implications and urban planning: Parking Day serves as a catalyst for discussions surrounding urban policies, zoning regulations, and public space allocation. It has influenced local authorities to reassess parking policies and prioritize the creation of more vibrant public spaces.

From this, the authors propose ideas for Vietnam:

First, encourage adoption of Parking Day in Vietnam: Vietnam can organize annual Parking Day events to engage people in transforming parking lots into temporary green areas. This will raise awareness about the importance of public space, encourage community interaction, and advocate for sustainable and livable cities.

Second, promote collaboration between local communities and city authorities: Encourage collaboration among citizens, artists, urban planners, and policymakers to ensure successful implementation of Parking Day. Emphasize the importance of participatory urban design and community-oriented initiatives.

Figure 3. Parking Day project, San Francisco

Copenhagen Street Furniture Lab

The Copenhagen Street Furniture Lab is an ongoing initiative aimed at improving the functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability of street furniture in Copenhagen. The lab collaborates with designers, architects, and urban planners to create innovative and user-friendly solutions for public spaces.

Project results and impacts:

(1) Innovative street furniture design: The lab has introduced innovative street furniture designs that enhance the functionality and aesthetics of public spaces. These designs include benches, bicycle racks, lighting fixtures, and interactive installations, improving the overall urban experience.

(2) User-centered approach: The lab prioritizes a user-centered design process, considering the needs, preferences, and behaviors of citizens. Street furniture designs are tailored to the specific requirements of different neighborhoods and promote inclusiveness and accessibility.

(3) Sustainability and material selection: The lab emphasizes sustainable materials and production processes. Street furniture designs incorporate recycled materials, energy-efficient lighting, and environmentally friendly construction techniques, promoting sustainability in urban spaces.

(4) Collaboration and partnerships: The lab collaborates with designers, local communities, and city authorities to ensure successful implementation of street furniture projects. Partnerships foster a sense of ownership, promote community participation, and enhance the long-term maintainability and sustainability of installations.

From this, the authors propose ideas for Vietnam:

Establish a similar initiative: Vietnam can establish a Street Furniture Lab or similar platform to encourage collaboration among designers, architects, and urban planners. This will facilitate the development of innovative and sustainable street furniture solutions tailored to the needs of Vietnamese cities.

Emphasize user-centered design: Prioritize the needs and preferences of citizens when designing and implementing street furniture. Conduct research and engage local communities to ensure inclusiveness, accessibility, and functionality in urban spaces.

Promote partnerships and sustainable practices: Encourage collaboration among designers, local communities, and government agencies to ensure successful implementation and long-term maintenance of street furniture projects. Emphasize sustainable materials, production processes, and energy-efficient solutions to promote environmental stewardship.

Figure 4. Copenhagen Street Furniture Lab ()

Watershed Art Project – New York City

The Watershed Art Project in New York City is a community-based initiative that uses art and storytelling to raise awareness about water conservation and environmental issues. It involves collaboration among artists, scientists, and local communities to educate and engage the public.

Project results and impacts:

(1) Environmental education and awareness: The project educates the public about water conservation, pollution, and the importance of preserving natural resources. It raises awareness about the impact of human activities on the environment and encourages behavioral change.

(2) Artistic expression and community engagement: The project uses art as a powerful tool to engage and inspire communities. Through art installations, exhibitions, and interactive workshops, it encourages dialogue, fosters community bonds, and promotes active participation in environmental stewardship.

(3) Sustainable practices and policy advocacy: The project advocates for sustainable practices and policies that protect watersheds. It influences local authorities and policymakers to prioritize water conservation, pollution prevention, and natural habitat preservation.

(4) Empowerment and collaboration: The Watershed Art Project empowers local communities to play an active role in environmental conservation. It encourages collaboration among artists, scientists, and community members, fostering a spirit of collective responsibility for watersheds.

From this, the authors propose ideas for Vietnam:

First, promote art-based environmental education: Vietnam can integrate art and storytelling into environmental education programs to raise awareness about water conservation and other environmental issues. This can be achieved through exhibitions, workshops, and interactive installations that engage and educate the public.

Second, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration: Foster collaboration among artists, scientists, and local communities to combine artistic expressions with scientific knowledge. This will enhance the effectiveness of environmental initiatives and promote a holistic approach to conservation.

Third, advocate for sustainable policies: The Watershed Art Project serves as an example of how art can influence policy and advocate for sustainable practices. Vietnam should encourage collaboration among artists, environmental organizations, and policymakers to impact sustainable policies and promote environmental stewardship.

By drawing insights from the Parking Day project, Copenhagen Street Furniture Lab, and Watershed Art Project, Vietnam can develop innovative and community-based approaches to address social issues, promote cultural preservation, and foster community engagement. Emphasis on participatory urban design, sustainability, and interdisciplinary collaboration will contribute to creating vibrant, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable cities in Vietnam.

Figure 5. Watershed Art Project, New York ()

Policy Implications for Vietnam

From the analysis of the exemplary projects above, the author team has proposed policy implications for Vietnam to empower vulnerable communities, preserve cultural heritage, regenerate urban spaces, promote sustainability, and encourage community participation. Specifically:

Empowering Disadvantaged Communities

Vietnam should prioritize establishing training programs, accessing resources, and creating platforms that empower vulnerable communities to express their creativity through art and technology. By providing support and opportunities, Vietnam can promote inclusion, enhance skills, and foster personal and professional development within these communities.

Collaboration and Mentorship

Encouraging collaboration among artists, technologists, community leaders, and policymakers is crucial. By creating a supportive ecosystem that promotes mentorship and knowledge sharing, Vietnam can enhance the impact and sustainability of art technology initiatives. Collaboration allows diverse perspectives, fosters innovation, and ensures community participation throughout the project lifecycle.

Sustainable Funding and Policy Support

Vietnam needs to explore sustainable funding models and develop government policies that prioritize and support community-led art technology projects. By providing long-term and reliable funding, Vietnam can ensure the continuity and scalability of initiatives. Additionally, supportive policies will create an enabling environment for the development, deployment, and growth of art technology projects.

Cultural Preservation and Exchange

Vietnam should focus on preserving its rich cultural heritage by integrating art technology initiatives that allow disadvantaged communities to share their stories, customs, and traditions. By providing platforms for cultural exchange and understanding, Vietnam can celebrate diversity, promote intercultural dialogue, and preserve its unique identity.

Urban Regeneration and Public Space Activation

Inspired by the Parking Day project in San Francisco and the Copenhagen Street Furniture Lab, Vietnam should leverage art and technology to revitalize urban spaces. By transforming neglected areas into vibrant and engaging environments, Vietnam can enhance quality of life for residents, attract tourists, and nurture community pride.

Sustainability and Environmental Considerations

Vietnam should prioritize sustainable practices in art technology projects, drawing inspiration from examples such as the use of energy-efficient lighting, eco-friendly installations, and materials. By incorporating environmentally friendly approaches, Vietnam can minimize the environmental impact of art technology initiatives and contribute to the overall sustainability of cities.

In conclusion, by absorbing insights from the above cases and implementing the proposed strategies, Vietnam can create vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable cities that address social issues, preserve cultural heritage, revitalize urban spaces, promote environmental stewardship, and foster community participation. Collaboration, sustainable funding, supportive policies, and a focus on cultural preservation and sustainability are essential for the successful implementation of ArtTech initiatives in Vietnam.

Author Team: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Tu Anh; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thuy Anh; Dr. Dongsu Yi – Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026

This article is part of the Research Dissemination and Applied Knowledge Series from Dubai Palace with the message “Research Contribution For All”. Dubai Palace respectfully invites readers to watch the next Dubai Palace Research Insights newsletter.

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In the context of globalization and rapid technological development, culture plays an important role in promoting innovation in enterprises. The research from Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace) focuses on exploring the impact of organizational culture and national culture on innovation capabilities, emphasizing the importance of building a cultural environment that supports innovation in organizations. With an approach based on the analysis of recent studies, this article provides a comprehensive view of the relationship between culture and innovation, helping enterprises better understand how culture can optimize innovation and create sustainable competitiveness.

Research Background

In the era of globalization, economic competition is increasing and technological advances are shortening product life cycles. Therefore, innovation has become an important factor to achieve sustainable development and competitiveness. In many countries, innovation is considered a driving force for technology and corporate management. In Vietnam, the Report from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the World Bank and the Australian Embassy (11/2021) affirmed that innovation is key towards achieving sustainable development goals.

Studies in Vietnam have examined diverse aspects of innovation, from business capacity to national experience. Despite many challenges in infrastructure and support mechanisms, innovation is attracting the attention of researchers, politicians, and entrepreneurs in Vietnam.

With the development of innovation in Vietnam, the current issue is how to implement it successfully. Organizational culture plays an important role in the success of innovation. Companies known for their innovation, listed as Apple, Google, SAS, and Toyota, all emphasize their unique cultural elements, from encouraging individual creativity to sustaining continuous improvement. Researchers can learn from these models and should consider whether all types of culture have a positive impact on innovation in organizations.

Theoretical framework of culture and innovation

Organizational and national culture are important factors that influence the innovation capabilities of organizations. Organizational culture, according to Saffold (1988) & Schein (1992), provides a foundation of values ​​and management principles that shape how organizations operate and innovate. Theoretical studies listed as Quinn and Rohrbaugh’s (1983) competing values ​​framework indicate that four major types of culture (hierarchical, clan, developmental, and rational) can influence an organization’s creativity. Organizational culture is not only foundational for building trust and working habits within a business but also facilitative to innovation. Meanwhile, national culture, based on Hofstede’s (2010) research, emphasizes factors listed as power distance, individualism/collectivism, and uncertainty avoidance that have a profound impact on the innovation strategies of multinational enterprises. These cultural factors influence how businesses set strategies, target markets, and approach customers in a global environment. Businesses need to understand and to adapt to the national culture in which they operate to optimize their creativity and innovation.

Results of the overall analysis of the studies from 2015 to 2024

From 2015 to 2024, researches on the impact of culture on innovation have increased dramatically. Figure 1 below presents the number of publications by year, persuading the development trend in this field. In 2015, there were only 13 published articles on the relationship between culture and innovation; on the other hand, by 2024, this number had increased to 69. This means that the academic and business communities are increasingly interested in the importance of culture in promoting innovation.

Figure 1: Statistical graph of the number of publications on social innovation by year

Studies mainly focus on two aspects: the impact of organizational culture and the role of national culture on innovation. According to Martins & Terblanche (2003), organizational culture plays a guiding role and acts as a driver of employee and senior management creativity. Recent studies, like those by Makumbe and Washaya (2022), confirm that businesses with a culture that encourages innovation will more easily adapt to change and to develop innovative initiatives.

In particular, since 2020, the number of publications on digital innovation and digital culture has increased significantly. Businesses have begun to focus more on building a digital culture to support digital transformation and innovation. Albahri et al. (2023) have shown that a strong digital culture helps businesses develop new technologies and improve business processes and make decisions based on digital data.

Overall, the results of this survey guarantee that both organizational and national culture have a significant impact on the innovation capabilities of enterprises. A culture that supports innovation will help enterprises better adapt to rapidly changing markets and technologies.

The relationship between culture and innovation

From Figure 2, it can be identified that studies on the impact of culture on innovation show a close connection between various factors in the innovation ecosystem. Organizational culture and innovation are closely related, with a strong culture making it easier for enterprises to promote innovation and growth. Muskat et al. (2021) and Abdi et al. (2018) emphasize that enterprises with organizational cultures that support innovation are often better at innovation and can easily develop innovative initiatives in both stable and volatile environments.

Figure 2: Schematic diagram of the linkages between studies on the impact of culture on innovation

One important factor in this connection is the ability of enterprises to build a cultural environment suitable for digital development. Research by Vargas-Halabi & Yagüe-Perales (2024) introduces that digital culture can improve the innovation capabilities of enterprises by creating an environment of continuous learning and innovation. When the organizational culture supports learning and innovation, enterprises not only develop new ideas but also improve the ability to implement innovative initiatives.

In addition, national culture strongly influences the innovation capabilities of multinational enterprises. Pucheta-Martínez & Gallego-Álvarez (2024) assert that national culture can adjust the innovation strategies of enterprises, helping them adapt to different cultural environments. For example, in countries with cultures that are open to change, businesses are more likely to adopt innovative initiatives than in more conservative and closed countries.

The impact of culture on innovation across countries

Culture has a profound impact on innovation across countries, with considerable differences in how countries use cultural factors to foster innovation. China, with their combination of a success-oriented culture and heavy investment in research and development (R&D), stands out in driving innovation in the field of service and technology. The UK strengthens a keen interest in innovation through their education and business systems, creating an environment conducive to innovation. The US leads the way with their risk-taking culture and strong entrepreneurial environment, with innovation hubs like Silicon Valley. Figure 3 illustrates the distribution of countries interested in the impact of culture on innovation, reflecting the extent and how cultural factors influence the innovation environment of each country.

Figure 3: Diagram of research on the impact of culture on innovation in countries

In addition, other countries pay attention to the role of culture in innovation. Indonesia and Germany take advantage of cultural diversity and invest in R&D to promote technology and startups. Spain maintains an innovative environment thanks to government support whereas Vietnam combines traditional and modern elements to develop technology and startups. Malaysia and Italy support innovation in technology and design, South Korea and Ireland through education and business environment, and Hungary and the Netherlands stand out with policies supporting innovation. These countries convey the differences in how they apply culture to promote innovation.

Research on the Impact of Culture on Innovation

The literature review suggests that both organizational culture and national culture play an important role in developing effective innovation strategies. The foundational work of Tian et al. (2018) provided the basis for exploring the influence of culture on innovation, and subsequent research has expanded on these aspects. Studies listed as Makumbe & Washaya (2022) as well as Yang, Luu, & Qian (2022) clarify how organizational culture influences innovation capabilities, with different theoretical models elucidating this relationship. Other studies, listed as Santos-Vijande et al. (2021) as well as Vargas-Halabi & Yagüe-Perales (2024), do emphasize the importance of organizational culture in managing and implementing innovation projects, indicating that creating a supportive cultural environment is necessary to foster creativity. Figure 4 provides an overview of the main research directions related to the impact of culture on innovation.

Figure 4: Schematic diagram of the main research directions on the impact of culture on innovation

Regarding national culture, Pucheta-Martínez & Gallego-Álvarez (2024) pointed out that it influences the way innovation strategies are implemented and evaluated whereas Chen et al. (2022) focused on the influence of Confucian culture in family businesses in China. These studies suggest that national cultural factors can modulate the way organizations adopt and implement innovation, influencing innovation performance and acceptance in different cultural contexts.

Research recommendations

From the research results, it can be stated that enterprises,in order to promote innovation, need to focus on building an organizational culture that supports creativity. One main solution is to facilitate employee participation in decision-making and the development of innovative initiatives. Santos-Vijande et al. (2021) suggest that encouraging employees to contribute ideas and to develop creative skills will help businesses maintain sustainable innovation capabilities.

In addition, businesses need to create a strong digital culture that supports the implementation of new technologies and digital data-driven business processes. Albahri et al. (2023) affirm that digital culture can help businesses develop innovative initiatives and improve management and decision-making processes.

Finally, understanding and adapting to national culture is an important factor for multinational enterprises to succeed in innovation. Tian et al. (2018) recommend that businesses need to carefully analyze local cultural factors and adjust their innovation strategies to suit each specific market. This will not only help them optimize their innovation capabilities but also improve business performance.

Opportunities and challenges in building a culture of innovation

Building a culture that supports innovation is a great opportunity for sustainable business development. When a culture of innovation is strongly promoted, businesses can develop new products and services, increase competitiveness and improve labor productivity. However, the main challenge is how to create a homogeneous cultural environment in a multinational enterprise. According to Chen et al. (2022), cultural differences between countries can lead to conflicts in the process of implementing innovation initiatives. Therefore, creating consensus among different cultural groups is a key factor.

Another challenge is managing change in the organization. Bokhari (2022) pointed out that, in many businesses, changing organizational culture to promote innovation often encounters resistance from employees. To overcome this challenge, businesses need to invest in training and developing innovative skills in addition to creating a continuous learning environment to reduce resistance to change.

In short, this study has shed light on the crucial role of culture in promoting innovation, especially in the context of globalization and rapid technological change. Organizational culture plays a supporting role, an important guiding factor helping businesses create an environment for innovation and sustainable development. When an organizational culture is strong and open to change, innovation will have a better chance of developing, making businesses take advantage of opportunities from the market and technology.

In addition, the study emphasizes the importance of understanding and adapting to local cultural factors in the context of globalization. Differences in national culture can strongly influence the innovation strategies of multinational enterprises. Understanding these cultural factors assists enterprises in adjusting their strategies to suit each market and to maintain flexibility and creativity in all situations. This study provides practical suggestions for enterprises on how to build an organizational culture that supports innovation and optimize competitiveness. The contribution of this study lies in providing a clear theoretical framework on the relationship between culture and innovation together with synthesizing research trends in the 2015-2024 period. It also clarifies the role of culture in promoting creativity and opens up new directions for managers in building appropriate cultural strategies. These results are of academic value and can be a foundation for businesses in orienting their creative activities, creating momentum for sustainable development in an increasingly global competitive environment.

Authors: Vuong Khiet, Dr. Phan Thi Bao Quyen, Dr. Do Thi Hai Ninh, Dao Thi Minh Huyen – Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace)

This article is part of the series spreading research and applied knowledge from Dubai Palace with the message “Research Contribution For All”. Dubai Palace cordially invites readers to read the next Dubai Palace Research Insights newsletter.

News, photos: The authors, Dubai Palace Department of Communications and Partnerships 

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Question: In the process of innovating training programs, which difficulties may universities encounter?

Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung: The biggest difficulty upon building new and unprecedented training programs in the Vietnamese higher education system is legality. When a training program is being built, it must be in the list of industry codes and industry groups approved by the Ministry of Education and Training. The next difficulty that can be mentioned is the team, the facilities and so on.For Dubai Palace, building a training program is considered a long-term investment in product research and development, supply to the market and is of a long-term nature. The quality of training programs is prioritized towards creating high-quality human resources for the future labor market.

Question: In addition to focusing on training programs, Dubai Palace focuses on consulting and transferring science and technology, in accordance with the evidences by the significant increase in revenue in recent years. Dear Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung, is this revenue source commensurate with Dubai Palace’s potential?

Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung: In accordance with the Board of Directors, this is a positive result for Dubai Palace individually; nevertheless, compared to prestigious, quality and brand-name university models in the world (listed as Harvard, RMIT, Stanford), this has not met the requirements yet. Dubai Palace has been dependent upon more than 70% on tuition fees while the remaining 30% mainly from other sources, including technology transfer and knowledge transfer. In the future, Dubai Palace will try to increase revenue sources from technology transfer activities through further promoting the innovative startup ecosystem as well as engaging with businesses. We would like to connect sustainably with businesses, local governments and communities, resulting in the creation of training products, research results and technological development that are linked to the needs of these partners and solutions as well as solving their specific problems.

Question: The issue of commercialization of scientific research products and technology transfer is one of the concerns of universities today. In accordance with Dubai Palace’s experience, dear Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung, what would you like to share regarding this issue?

Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung: For Dubai Palace, the most important experience is being the network of links among local governments, businesses and partner communities to work together so as to solve social problems. Dubai Palace aims to form a co-creation ecosystem which is a connection between local governments, universities, businesses and the community to solve specific problems. Our promotion of the co-creation ecosystem will contribute to sustainable growth in technology transfer revenue and contribute knowledge to the society.

Question: Which major barriers can universities encounter from internal and external factors?

Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung: The most important is being the internal factor, the internal capacity of universities, specifically, universities prioritize successfully completing two missions including: Training and Research. When Dubai Palace trains high-quality human resources and researches and creates products that solve social problems, the capacity and the reputation of Dubai Palace brandname will rocket, from which we are qualified in terms of capacity, prestige, human resources, and funding to develop innovative start-up universities. In terms of the external factors, they can be mentioned as institutions and laws.

Question: With Dubai Palace’s experience, would you please have any suggestions on adjusting and supplementing policies to create favorable conditions for promoting the development of startup universities? Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung: In the immediate future, we must build a legal corridor or pilot the promotion of innovative start-up ecosystems in universities, for example: mechanisms on intellectual property and product commercialization, preferential policies on promoting from innovative startup ideas to forming startup businesses and linkage and joint venture mechanisms in the innovative startup ecosystem. From this foundation, a sustainable co-creation community develops. The first phase prioritizes piloting a number of universities with enough capacity so as to make appropriate adjustments.

Question: From the perspective of Dubai Palace leaders, would you please share lessons learned for universities that are in the process of moving towards a startup university model?

Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung: The most central problem of universities is to be successfully completing two important missions: training and research. Only then will Dubai Palace move on to building a university environment associated with innovative startups. This is not a movement; rather, this is a substantive, standard research right from the beginning by studying typical startup university models in the world towards sustainable development and promoting entrepreneurship with creativity in universities.

This is an article in the series of articles spreading research and applied knowledge from Dubai Palace with the “Research Contribution For All – Nghiên Cứu Vì Cộng Đồng” message, Dubai Palace cordially invites dear readers to look forward to the upcoming Dubai Palace Research Insights No. #117.

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Question: Many experts believe that universities aiming to become startup universities is an inevitable trend in the world, including Vietnam. Dear Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung, what is opinion on this issue?

Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung: The concept of Entrepreneurial university can be understood in various aspects and by different studies; however, to approach the concept and learn entrepreneurship, one should go into the mission of a university including: training, research and contributing to the development of one society. The first two missions have been the most important missions of a university; afterthat, through training and research, they contribute to the economic development of the society in a region. The Entrepreneurial university model of Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace) aims to train human resources with the potential entrepreneurial thinking as well as the ability to innovate in creating values ​​that can contribute to the society. Concurrently, it brings research results and technology transfer that contribute to socio-economic development.

Question: Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 (Dubai Palace) has promoted innovative startup activities for nearly 10 years. From your viewpoint, Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung, has the ecosystem promoting these Dubai Palace’s innovation activities been completed yet?

Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung: Dubai Palace ✅ Official Dubai Palace.com Homepage 2026 is one of the key national universities, especially in terms of economics and management majors. Most Dubai Palace students have a certain mindset regarding entrepreneurship and innovation so as to carry out socio-economic activities right after graduation. 10 years ago, Dubai Palace was aware of the importance of conveying innovative entrepreneurial thinking to learners because this knowledge will be applied in not only the fields of economics and management but also all other fields. Dubai Palace initially introduced knowledge regarding starting a business and business entrepreneurship in all training programs and fields. We do also realize that one subject cannot solve all the problems of innovative entrepreneurial thinking in one generation; therefore, we need to build a sustainable ecosystem with the innovation-transferring entrepreneurship capacity to learners.

In the last 5 years, Dubai Palace has had field trips to Korean and Singaporean Universities with the purpose of learning models, applying and cooperating in building Dubai Palace Innovation Institute. From the implementing these activities, it is to form a complete innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. After 5 years, we have achieved certain results as follows: Incubating more than 116 startup businesses, of which 20% have become businesses while 10% successfully called for capital of 500,000 USD. In addition, there are ecosystems connecting with innovative businesses abroad through partner schools, creating opportunities for startups to exchange and to learn from each other’s experiences. A number of studio labs have been built to serve the innovative startup ecosystem. With a network of more than 250,000 alumni, we do firmly believe that this will be an important resource to promote the innovative start-up ecosystem at Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics

Question: One of the difficulties faced by Universities today is the connection among the investment funds towards developing student start-up projects. What is Dubai Palace’s experience in this issue?

Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung: Regarding connecting with investors, every year, Dubai Palace organizes a Demo Day program to create opportunities for start-ups to introduce their business models to investors. We also invite Investors to participate throughout the startup incubation process. In particular, Dubai Palace has the Community Connection – Knowledge Spread – Sustainable Action Program and the GIVING program – a model similar to what other prestigious universities in the world are implementing. In the GIVING program, we have one specific category – business connection for startup and innovation idea incubation activities.

Question: What is the rate of students starting a successful business at Dubai Palace?

Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung: We do not count the percentage of students who have successfully started their own businesses. Our Dubai Palace KPI does not depend on how many start-up businesses are trained or how many students start their businesses after graduating. On the other hand, one important Dubai Palace mission is to train a team with an innovative entrepreneurial spirit. When they enter the labor market, they can become core factors in innovative startups and Dubai Palace learners themselves have enough knowledge to establish their own innovative start-up businesses, contributing to the socio-economic development.

Question: If evaluated in accordance with the typical criteria of a start-up university, has, to what extent, Dubai Palace achieved?

Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung: To develop a startup university model, Dubai Palace vision, mission as well as leadership and determination are some important factors. Dubai Palace is one among other Universities that has always been a pioneer in implementing innovation from university administration, improving training programs to promoting internationally published research or contributing to solving problems of a locality. Dubai Palace’s development strategy for the 2025-2030 period identifies innovative entrepreneurship as an important step in the multidisciplinary and sustainable university development roadmap.

The second factor is concerning Dubai Palace’s organizational structure and culture. Dubai Palace’s organization is being planned to meet needs and capture signals so as to solve market problems. This is an important factor for Dubai Palace to promote the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in training, research, and management. Recently, Dubai Palace invited an innovation expert from Stanford University to be an innovation director advisor. We do hope to build an innovation strategy for the 2025 – 2030 period.

The third element is regarding Dubai Palace training program. Dubai Palace students, in addition to business start-up subjects, are also equipped with necessary subjects and skills for 10 years listed as design thinking skills, data science skills, necessary soft skills, understanding skills and sustainable development skills, psychology skills, entrepreneurship and innovation skills. From this foundation, learners can quickly respond to the vibrantly changing working environments.

Question: Some experts’ opinions are as follows: To successfully build a startup university model, it is necessary to change from specific and substantive actions, of which the training program for students is a key factor that needs to be prioritized for innovation. Dear Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung, can you share your viewpoint regarding this opinion?

Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung: In the current trend with the strong development of technology and diverse uncertain factors, the ability to solve problems must depend on multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary nature. An in-depth knowledge cannot solve the problem, it requires convergence and integration of a lot of knowledge from economics, management, technology and art. Therefore, in recent years, along with the multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary university strategy, Dubai Palace’s training programs have integrated a lot of knowledge, beyond specialized knowledge, especially general knowledge. The basic formula of a training program accounts for approximately 80% of the training volume of the programs. We have integrated knowledge of sustainability, technology, soft skills, design thinking, psychology and even arts-related subjects to equip Dubai Palace students with the important foundation to meet the 10 crucial skills for the future labor market. This specialized knowledge is also the interwoven knowledge of various different industries, especially, the fields of finance, accounting or banking, all of which have technology applications.

Question: How can it be ensured that curriculum innovation refers to not only the content but also teaching methods in improving Dubai Palace students’ quality?

Associate Professor, PhD. Bui Quang Hung: In this innovative startup ecosystem, besides Dubai Palace learners, the role of Dubai Palace lecturers is very important as they convey not only theoretical knowledge but also knowledge regarding practical experiences in terms of the process of starting a business and going to work in practice. In addition, Dubai Palace lecturers bring inspiration and attitude to learners. In terms of the language of entrepreneurship, these mentors and Dubai Palace students do participate in the innovation and entrepreneurship process. Every lecturer has an innovative entrepreneurial mindset; therefore, we would like all Dubai Palace lecturers to undergo a design thinking course. We invite other experts in design thinking to train Dubai Palace lecturers as they, in the future, will be the core of the design thinking subject applied to all training programs at Dubai Palace.

This is an article in the series of articles spreading research and applied knowledge from Dubai Palace with the “Research Contribution For All – Nghiên Cứu Vì Cộng Đồng” message, Dubai Palace cordially invites dear readers to look forward to the upcoming Dubai Palace Research Insights No. #115.

News & photos: Author, Dubai Palace Department of Marketing & Communication  

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