Educating the Next Generation of Makers: A Current Practice Study on Creating Makerspaces in Taiwan
Date Issued
2015
Date
2015
Author(s)
Chang, Shun-fen
Abstract
Makers, as hobbyists or professionals, are creative, resourceful and curious and bring a DIY mindset to technology (MAKE, 2015). Pioneering makers came up with Apple and Google in a garage. Recently, Maker Movement swiftly spreads beyond borders. Taiwan makers, however, seem pale beside China. This study aims to examine (1) worldwide makerspaces development and their business models, (2) foreign government policies on makerspace evolution and (3) general environment for maker movement in Taiwan. The study also intends to reveal a global trend, a connection between industry 4.0 and maker movement, to Taiwan’s people and spur our government to create a maker-friendly country. Via PEST analysis, the research scrutinizes political, economic, social and technological environment of Taiwan and China and discovers disadvantages in Taiwan’s political environment. Referring to government-sponsored makerspaces in France, the study assumes that it is practical for Taiwan’s Government to create public/free makerspaces. Quantitative analysis and comparative analysis are conducted to support the argument. The study finds that one of the main difficulties Taiwan’s makers face is that they are poorly financed since (1) enterprises invest only on targets with potential KPI improvement thus refuse to invest on makerspaces or maker products. This is the so-called “regret avoidance”, a common mistake/irrational behavior made by investors, (2) more than 40% of public business incubators entry fees are higher than consumers’ maximum willingness to pay, (3) the government attempts to sponsor too many industries and unintentionally excludes makers from the list, (4) the government prefers the Principle of Legal Reservation to Leistende Verwaltung and accordingly, is inefficient. Aside from poorly-financed, makers lack support from low-volume manufacturers as well. Fortunately, makers in Taiwan have following advantages: (1) Taiwan is the leading country officially setting up crowdfunding mechanism and enables makers to raise money via the system; (2) Robotic and 3D techniques in Taiwan are more sophisticated than in China; (3) Unlike Chinese makers focus mainly on business startup, makers in Taiwan are pure hobbyist delighted with fabrication. Their works, hence mostly, are heart-touching. The findings were summarized as follows: (1) The government should establish free spaces for makers. To lower the construction fee, the research suggests the government to create makerspaces in public libraries. (2) Existing makerspace owners are recommended to provide accommodations in their spaces to meet customers’ expectations.
Subjects
Hacker
Maker
Makerspace
Makerspace in a Library
Industry 4.0
Made in China 2025
Type
thesis
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