Through the Lens of Kuhn’s Paradigm Theory: Diagnosing the Crisis and Transforming Pathways for Educational Economics in the Digital-Intelligent Era

This study employs Kuhn’s paradigm theory to diagnose a nascent paradigmatic crisis in educational economics triggered by the Digital-Intelligent Era (DIE), defined here as a socio-technical of deep physical-digital integration, data -driven production, and algorithmic mediation. Methodologically, this conceptual study applies Kuhn’s disciplinary matrix as an analytical framework within the global digital transformation context, examining the field’s foundational assumptions via theoretical synthesis and comparative analysis. We argue that the traditional paradigm, grounded in Human Capital Theory and linear models, has become increasingly misaligned with the dynamic and ethically complex educational realities of the 21st century. An analysis of Kuhn’s disciplinary matrix—encompassing theory, methods, values, community, and exemplars—reveals the necessity of a five-fold paradigm shift: from linear to complex systems thinking; from static econometrics to computational simulation; from economic efficiency to human-centered ethics and equity; from disciplinary silos to transdisciplinary collaboration; and from monolithic models to multimodal validation. Consequently, we propose reconceptualizing educational economics as a “design science” —an approach focused on creating, prototyping, and evaluating interventions for complex socio-technical systems rather than merely analyzing existing market dynamics—for complex learning ecosystems. By “complex learning ecosystems” we mean educational environments understood as adaptive networks of diverse actors (learners, teachers, technologies, institutions) where outcomes emerge non-linearly from local interactions. The proposed framework integrates network analysis, computational methods, and human-AI collaboration to build equitable and sustainable educational futures. We further translate this conceptual diagnosis into a concrete three-tier implementation framework, operationalizing the five-fold shift through actionable workflows, policy instruments, and illustrative case scenarios.