By using qualitative methodology, mainly through documentary analysis supported
by a large number of semi-structured interviews, this study explores the relationship of
socio-economic developments and changes to the developments and changes in the
education and training of adults in the two countries and one region. The thesis argues
that, as with other aspects of education, the education and training of adults can never be
developed in isolation but always reflects, and is influenced by, socio-economic
development and changes. On the one hand, socio-economic development and changes are
driving forces for the development of the education and training of adults. On the other
hand, in response to changes in the socio-economic context, management models for the
education and training of adults will change.
The study suggests that such management models can be illustrated as a triangle
with orientations towards the three corners, that is, academic, planning and market
orientations. The main finding of the study is that, despite their differences, the
management models for the education and training of adults in the two countries and the
region of Hong Kong, in various degrees, are moving together towards the market
orientation because of the movement of international privatisation since the late 1970s.
However, they will not move to the top position of the market orientation, but will
continue to be a mixture of the three orientations.
As an adult learner, educator and researcher, with a unique experience of being a
graduate and university teacher in both China and the UK, the writer has attempted to
contribute to mutual understanding in the important field of the education and training of
adults in the two countries, with Hong Kong aspects as a comparison, and to the study of
comparative adult education.