@article{DAI2026, 
author = {Yue DAI and Ke WANG},
title = {Study on the “four-chain integration” construction of experimental centers for economics and management at “Double First-Class” universities},
year = {2026},
journal = {Experimental Technology and Management},
volume = {43},
number = {9},
pages = {286-291},
keywords = {four-chain integration, economics and management experimental center, teaching reform, “Double First-Class” initiative},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.16791/j.cnki.sjg.2026.09.036},
doi = {10.16791/j.cnki.sjg.2026.09.036},
abstract = {ObjectiveUnder China's “Double First-Class” Initiative for university establishment, experimental teaching demonstration centers for economics and management are expected to play a dual role in fostering first-class talent cultivation and promoting first-class scientific research transformation. However, a critical structural contradiction has emerged: the disconnect between the education, industrial, innovation, and talent chains. This disconnect manifests as outdated experimental curricula that lag behind the rapidly evolving demands of the digital economy, low efficiency of transforming scientific research achievements into teaching content, and superficial university-enterprise cooperation. This study aims to explore how the “four-chain integration” theoretical framework can be systematically applied to address these dilemmas and propose a replicable development model for experimental teaching centers in economics and management.MethodsThis study adopted a case study approach combined with theoretical analysis. First, it systematically decomposed problems pertaining to experimental teaching demonstration centers considering three dimensions: goal orientation, collaborative mechanism, and benefit-sharing mechanism. Second, it developed an innovative framework for “four-chain integration,” encompassing four strategic pathways: goal reconstruction, practical system innovation, collaborative mechanism optimization, and shared ecosystem building. The study considered the Experimental Teaching Center of Economics and Management at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology as a case for analysis. It thoroughly analyzed the center's practical measures, including co-building experimental courses with leading enterprises such as the JD Group, establishing a special fund to transform scientific research results into experimental courses, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into business curricula by developing digital intelligence course modules, building a virtual simulation experimental teaching platform, and implementing a “dual appointment and dual assessment” system for teachers. Data were obtained from the center's operational records, student achievement statistics, competition results, and feedback from cooperative enterprises over multiple years.ResultsThe study offers several key findings. First, the “four-chain disconnect” is identified as a deep-rooted obstacle to the high-quality development of experimental teaching demonstration centers. Second, the proposed “four-chain integration” framework effectively addresses this disconnect. The case study results demonstrate important outcomes. (1) In terms of education-chain to industrial-chain integration, the co-built experimental classes have embedded real business scenarios into the talent cultivation process. (2) Regarding innovation-chain to education-chain transformation, the center's annual curriculum update rate exceeds 10%, with four teaching cases incorporated into the master's program in accounting and new provincial-level key textbooks published. (3) For talent-chain quality improvement, students supported by the center have achieved remarkable results. These achievements include five national-level and five provincial-level “College Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program” projects in 2022 alone as well as multiple first prizes in national competitions such as the China University Business Elite Challenge and the China Graduate Enterprise Management Innovation Competition. (4) In terms of AI-empowered teaching innovation, the center has developed digital intelligence course modules and co-constructed simulation teaching platforms, considerably enhancing students' digital literacy. (5) The center's practices have achieved significant recognition and demonstration impact, as evidenced by reports from mainstream media such as Guangming Daily, visits from more than ten universities, and receipt of provincial-and university-level teaching achievement awards.ConclusionsThis study concludes that “four-chain integration” is a core strategy for achieving the connotative development of experimental teaching demonstration centers in economics and management. Successful implementation requires strategic top-level design, innovative operational mechanisms, and execution-level resource synergy. The case of Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology validates the effectiveness and replicability of this model. By transforming the experimental teaching demonstration center from a traditional teaching service unit into a platform for regional innovation and integrating talent cultivation, scientific research transformation, and industrial services, “four-chain integration” offers a feasible pathway for upgrading experimental teaching demonstration centers into “Double First-Class” universities.}
}