East Asia has been an area of high economic growth for several decades. The East Asian High-Tech Drive argues that to maintain the growth momentum, the more advanced East Asian economies need to pay particular attention to policies designed to upgrade their industrial capabilities. The authors argue that effectively functioning institutions, predictable commercial policies, investments in human capital and infrastructure, openness and macroeconomic stability are essential for growth and technological development. Regarding the two lower income economies in the sample, Indonesia is found to have the smallest improvement in the skill intensity of its exports, while the Philippines has registered the slowest economic growth. For both countries, industrial upgrading issues are not as imperative as achieving or regaining rapid, labour-intensive growth as both recently experienced major political instabilities.Yun-Peng Chu and Hal Hill have gathered together a strong and cohesive collection of papers written by country experts on the issue of high-tech industrialization in East Asia. They present case studies of Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, the PRC and Indonesia. The book uses a new measure of the skill intensity of exports that, it is argued, deepens our understanding of industrialization trajectories in this important and dynamic region. There are also detailed examinations and assessments of government policies in each economy. The editors have prepared an overview chapter that summarizes and integrates the main results of cross-country comparisons in a coherent manner. Academics, scholars and researchers of economic development, industrial and technology studies and Asian studies will all find much to engage them within this book.

This volume presents a scholarly insider's perspective on the Asian economic crisis, examining the social, economic and political consequences of the crisis in six influential Asian economies: Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand. Each chapter contains an analysis of the events leading up to and during the crisis, the social impacts and an assessment of possible futures for these countries. The contributors expertise and use of up-to-date data ensures an integrated approach by which the process of economic change can be understood.The book reveals that professional workers in the urban financial sector, as well as manual labourers in the export sector, felt the most dramatic effects. Impacts on the latter group resulted in a significant rise in the population living below the poverty line. The book emphasises the previous absence of strong social security 'nets' and the need to strengthen macroeconomic policies and institutional, legal, regulatory and supervisory structures. Other topics covered include intractable government corruption and fiscal management. The Social Impact of the Asian Financial Crisis has a unique perspective that will ensure greater understanding of the causes and consequences of the crisis in six major economies and as such will appeal to academics, researchers and policymakers involved in Asian politics and development economics.

Exploring the thorny issues of industrial organisation, competition policy and liberalization in the Asia-Pacific region, this book examines the ways in which governments regulate business. Using case studies from China, the USA, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan, the authors take a comparative look at the evolution of policies and their implementation on the ground.
With a specific focus on the energy, transport and telecommuncations sectors, this book represents the most up-to-date analysis of the ways in which governments in the Asia-Pacific are coping with rapid industrial and economic change.

Exploring the thorny issues of industrial organisation, competition policy and liberalization in the Asia-Pacific region, this book examines the ways in which governments regulate business. Using case studies from China, the USA, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan, the authors take a comparative look at the evolution of policies and their implementation on the ground.
With a specific focus on the energy, transport and telecommuncations sectors, this book represents the most up-to-date analysis of the ways in which governments in the Asia-Pacific are coping with rapid industrial and economic change.