On the morning of August 17, Professor and PhD Supervisor Xu-Dong Jia of the School of Management at Lanzhou University visited Plutools for a tour and exchange. The company's management team warmly welcomed Professor Jia and accompanied him on a visit to the corporate exhibition hall, R&D facilities, and production lines. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on technological innovation and industrial applications of core components for mobile robots.
A Reunion of Teacher and Student, Connecting Academic Insights with Industrial Practice
Professor Xu-Dong Jia, born in 1972 in Hebei Province, is a Professor and PhD Supervisor at the School of Management, Lanzhou University. He also serves as an EMBA/MBA supervisor. He has been a visiting scholar in Germany, the United States, France, and India, and is a member of the Academy of Management (AOM) and the International Association for Chinese Management Research (IACMR).
Professor Jia has long focused on corporate organization and strategy, traditional Chinese culture and business management, grounded theory, and qualitative research methodology. He has proposed influential academic concepts including the "Chinese Management Grounded Research Paradigm" and the "Management Ternary Model." He has authored 16 books, led or participated in eight National Natural Science Foundation of China projects, and published more than 50 papers in leading academic journals. Under his leadership, his research team has received the "Top 100 National Management Cases" award four times.
Beyond his academic achievements, Professor Jia also possesses extensive practical experience in business management. He previously served as a Strategic Consultant and Operations Director at Meilishuo Holdings, participated in one of China's earliest pilot programs for the reform of modern enterprise systems, and accumulated eight years of management experience in listed companies.
Notably, one of Plutools' core executives is a former student of Professor Jia. His visit therefore also marked a meaningful reunion between teacher and student. The two sides exchanged views in a warm and engaging atmosphere, discussing how management theories can be translated into practical experience and how academic insights can better support enterprise development.
On-Site Visit Highlights Core Innovation
During the visit, Plutools' management team introduced the company's development history, core product portfolio, and global market strategy. Particular attention was given to the company's independently developed technologies in key mobile robot components, including AGV drive wheels, drive control systems, and navigation systems.
Professor Jia spoke highly of Plutools' commitment to cultivating specialized technologies, continuously overcoming technical barriers, and pursuing long-term development in the industrial sector.
Academic Insights Addressing the Challenges of Our Time
Professor Jia had just attended the First China Culture and Management Forum, held at Nantong University from August 15 to 16. The forum focused on "Zhang Jian's Entrepreneurial Spirit and the Development of an Independent Chinese Management Knowledge System."
His visit to Plutools on August 17 provided an opportunity to connect the forum's academic discussions with first-hand industrial practice. Professor Jia noted that Plutools' commitment to Nantong, its focus on manufacturing, and its dedication to building a real industrial enterprise represent a contemporary reflection of Zhang Jian's philosophy of "supporting education through industry and improving industry through education."
He also viewed Plutools as a valuable real-world enterprise example for the development of an independent Chinese management knowledge system.
Plutools' management team expressed their appreciation for Professor Jia's visit, noting that his insights brought new perspectives on corporate management and valuable theoretical guidance to the company.
Looking ahead, Plutools will continue to uphold its commitment to the real economy, drive growth through technological innovation, and contribute to the development of Nantong's manufacturing sector and the cultivation of a new generation of entrepreneurs. The company will also continue to contribute its expertise and capabilities to the high-quality development of the mobile robotics industry.
