Research On Synergy Status And Optimization Strategies Of Specialty Groups In Higher Vocational Colleges

With the upgrading of modern industries,the interdependence among industries increases,the pace of technological iteration accelerates,and industrial forms take on the characteristics of chain extension and cluster development.The rapid development of the socio-economy has raised the demand for composite technical and skilled personnel.The traditional talent training model of higher vocational colleges,which is based on a "single-major" approach,is no longer suitable for meeting the development needs of the current socio-economy.Therefore,a new specialty governance model based on "specialty group" has emerged.In recent years,with policy support and guidance,the construction of specialty groups in higher vocational colleges in China has achieved rapid development under this "design pattern".However,it has also led to a dilemma in which the practice of specialty groups tends to adopt a "mechanical and binding" approach to forming "formalized groups," as well as confusion over whether specialty groups can continue to exist after policy dividends disappear.Therefore,the logical way to ensure the high-quality and sustainable development of specialty groups is to shift the development of specialty groups from a "design pattern" to an "endogenous pattern," and transform them from being externally driven by administrative commands and "external organizations" to becoming "self-organized" through the establishment of deep support relationships among various specialties within the groups,and evolving into a continuous and orderly coordinated form of synergy.Therefore,this study aims to explore the theory and practice of synergy among specialty groups in higher vocational colleges.This study follows the research path of "raising questions-analyzing questions-solving questions." Starting with the Triple Helix Theory,Self-organization Theory,and Synergy Theory,and under the paradigm of empirical research,a mixed research method that integrates quantitative and qualitative research is used to conduct a deep analysis of the expected framework,actual situation,reasons for difficulties,and optimization strategies of synergy among specialty groups in higher vocational colleges.The specific research process are as follows:Firstly,a normative analysis framework for the synergy development of vocational college specialty groups was constructed.Based on theoretical analysis and speculative research.this study pointed out the normative logic for vocational college specialty groups to evolve towards self-organization and clarified the normative analysis framework for synergy development,further highlighting the necessity and rationality of endogenous synergy within specialty groups.Secondly,the actual status of synergy development in vocational college specialty groups was measured.Based on the normative analysis framework of synergy development,and combined with practical interviews with frontline teachers and administrators in specialty groups,a survey questionnaire on the actual status of synergy development was developed,and its reliability and validity were analyzed.Through the nationwide distribution and collection of the questionnaire,data was statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics,differential analysis,and structural equation modeling,thereby obtaining the actual status of synergy development in higher vocational college specialty groups.Thirdly,the difficulties and causes faced by synergy development in higher vocational colleges’ specialty groups were explored.Combining the results of the quantitative research stage with the qualitative text data from in-depth interviews,an analytical framework for factors influencing synergy development was formed using grounded theory.Then,two representative cases with distinct characteristics of "building an institute through a group" and "building a group across institutes" were selected for case study analysis.The analytical framework for factors influencing synergy development was used to conduct in-depth comparative analysis of the two case specialty groups,summarizing the main difficulties faced by synergy development in specialty groups and their underlying causes.Finally,strategies and action paths to promote the optimization of synergy development in higher vocational colleges’ specialty groups were proposed.Based on the problems identified in the status measurement and the practical difficulties and underlying causes discovered in the case qualitative research,systematic and targeted strategies and action paths were proposed for the optimization of synergy development in higher vocational colleges’ specialty groups.Through theoretical research,empirical research,and strategic research,the following conclusions were drawn regarding the synergy research of higher vocational colleges’ specialty groups:Firstly,the theoretical framework for the synergy of higher vocational colleges’ specialty groups is a three-dimensional analytical framework consisting of "two dimensions and five elements".The two dimensions refer to external conditions and internal synergy,while the five elements refer to open-mindedness,resource flow,cultural synergy,organizational synergy,and interest synergy.Specialty groups in higher vocational college should strive for an endogenous synergy within this framework to achieve a holistic "synergy effect" and promote the evolution of self-organizing characteristics.Secondly,the overall level of synergy among higher vocational colleges’ specialty groups in China is at a medium-high level,with significant differences in some dimensions and elements among specialty groups from different regions,schools,different levels,and different industries.There is a high positive correlation between the external conditions and internal synergy dimensions of specialty groups synergy,and open-mindedness and resource flow have a significant predictive effect on the internal synergy dimension.Thirdly,the main challenges facing the current synergy practice of specialty groups im higher vocational colleges are: unfavorable synergy environment,incomplete cooperation guarantee system;unclear synergy vision,difficult formation of synergy culture;imperfect internal management system of specialty groups,difficult to break through specialties’ boundaries;and incomplete synergy supporting mechanisms,resulting in ineffective synergy.The root causes of these challenges may lie in the different values held by schools and enterprises,the lack of organizational trust within specialty groups,and the inertia of specialty organization reform.Finally,based on the above findings,the synergy among higher vocational colleges’ specialty groups should be optimized in four areas,namely: improving the synergy system of specialty groups in higher vocational college,forming a synergy culture,reforming the management of specialty groups synergy,and ensuring the smooth operation of synergy supporting mechanisms.This study is based on the transformational demand for reflection and development of high-level specialty groups synergy in the latter half of the "Double High Plan".The main innovations are as follows: firstly,proposing a new direction for the development of specialty groups synergy from "formal" synergy to "endogenous" synergy,deepening the synergy concept of specialty groups in higher vocational college;secondly,innovatively constructing a "two-dimensional,five-element" analysis framework for specialty groups’ synergy in higher vocational colleges,expanding the cognitive limitations of synergy within the organization;and thirdly,using a mixed research method to comprehensively reveal the current status of specialty groups’ synergy in higher vocational college,identify the key influencing factors of specialty groups’ synergy,and fill the gap in the lack of comprehensive understanding of the current status of specialty groups’ synergy.Through a comprehensive exploration of the process of higher vocational colleges’ specialty groups’ synergy,this study also provides possible references and inspirations for subsequent research on endogenous synergy within specialty groups.