This study aims to deconstruct the homogeneity of Higher Vocational Education students' perceptions of the Industrial Spirit and identify the formative factors influencing its cultivation through advanced cluster analysis. Based on survey data from Chinese HVE students, we utilized a K-means clustering algorithm to segment the population beyond traditional descriptive statistics. Key variables included awareness, perceived importance, and behavioral willingness. The analysis identified three distinct student profiles: (1) engaged advocates, who are highly aware and motivated; (2) The passive majority, who are ambivalent and conditionally willing; (3) disconnected skeptics, who are unaware and resistant. This segmentation provides a nuanced explanation for the overarching problems of superficial understanding, only 29.03% deem it very important, and low engagement, which are inadequately addressed by current school-led promotions. The findings challenge the conventional uniform approach to cultivating the Industrial Spirit. The primary contribution is a novel typology of HVE students that enables targeted educational interventions. The study provides a strategic framework for HVE institutions to develop differentiated programs that effectively nurture the Industrial Spirit across diverse student segments.

Zhougeng Lin, Lifang Shu, Yaying Hong. Understanding Industrial Spirit Formation of Higher Vocational Education Employing a Clustering-based Approach. Frontiers in Educational Research (2026), Vol. 9, Issue 5: 195-201. https://doi.org/10.25236/FER.2026.090527.

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