The Metaphor in the Conceptualization of Innovation in Lim Kok Wing's Writings

Abstract

The concept of innovation is prevalent and has been discussed in varied disciplines and published in various documents, such as educational magazines, books, and blogs. One example of such documentation is the writing on innovation by the late Tan Sri Dr Lim Kok Wing, compiled in a book titled "The Future is Coming". In education, innovation is required to transform the education system to prepare future generations for an innovation-driven economy. This study examined the concept of innovation using metaphorical expressions in writing on innovation in education. Specifically, it aimed to unravel the metaphor in the writings and to examine how the unravelled metaphors reflect the conceptions of innovation in education. In total, 42 written texts on innovation were included as data of the study. The data were analyzed based on Lakoff and Johnson's Conceptual Metaphor Theory. The findings of the study revealed seven salient conceptual metaphors underlying the expressions related to innovation in education. These metaphors involve the mappings of the source domains of JOURNEY, WAR, OBJECT, HUMAN BEING, SPORT, BUILDING, and FORCE to the target domain of INNOVATION. The unravelled metaphors underlying the writings on innovation suggest that innovation is conceived as a long process, which requires careful planning. The findings of the study provide insights into how innovation is conceived using metaphor, reflecting the ideas of a renowned brainchild of innovation in education in Malaysia, Lim Kok Wing.