Understanding these preferences, Kim argues, is critical for both policy and market strategy. “By working out the relationship between consumer choice and population aging, I forecast the effect of the population aging trend on the diffusion of innovative products and provide the potential policy and marketing implications for government policy and corporate management.”
The challenge, he says, lies in making sense of a wide range of behaviors across age groups and product types. “The biggest challenge I had in my studies was finding the overarching trend in the relationship between consumer choice for particular innovative products and population aging and then translating this finding into meaningful implications for society and the economy.”
Kim credits his time at APARC, especially participating in the Stanford Next Asia Policy Lab (SNAPL) meetings, with broadening his perspective. “Working as a member of SNAPL gave me insights and perspectives I didn’t have before,” he says.
SNAPL, directed by Professor Gi-Wook Shin, is an interdisciplinary research initiative housed within APARC addressing pressing social, cultural, economic, and political challenges in Asia through comparative, policy-relevant studies. The lab cultivates the next generation of researchers and policy leaders by offering mentorships and fellowship opportunities for students and emerging scholars.
Kim sees APARC’s model as effectively bridging academia and policy. “There are so many opportunities to interact with other scholars, policymakers, and practitioners,” Kim says. “Scholars here not only research and write, but they also get to share their voice and research findings in real-world policy.”
His advice to early-career researchers is straightforward. “Be more down-to-earth with your studies and thinking,” Kim says. “Sometimes scholars tend to get caught up in their way of thinking and perspective, but it may not be practical in real life. That is why I think it is important to just get outside and observe real consumer choice and behavior.”
Kim plans to continue researching questions related to innovation and demographic change to help governments and businesses adapt to aging populations and shifting consumer needs.
Ground-Level Data, Big-Picture Impact
Mai Nguyen and Jinseok Kim approach shared societal challenges through distinct yet complementary lenses. Nguyen’s research reveals how patient preferences can guide more effective public-private collaboration in healthcare, ultimately shaping systems that are more responsive to real-world needs. Meanwhile, Kim examines how patterns of technology adoption — especially among older adults — can influence the trajectory of innovation in aging societies.
Both scholars emphasize the value of ground-level data in addressing large-scale issues. By centering real behaviors and preferences, their work helps inform smarter, more adaptive policy, whether in designing patient-centered care or planning for technology's role in future societies. At APARC, their research bridges theory and practice, offering fresh insight into how Asian countries can navigate the twin forces of demographic change and rapid innovation.
