Technology in developing countries: succeeding in a globalizing world

The new competitive setting

In this setting, industrial growth  requires competing through ...

Large range of choices possible, with different combinations of domestic and foreign technologies
 
Let us illustrate through analysing patterns of change in world trade and determinants of success -- and failure -- in developing countries

Technological patterns of exports

Technological breakdown

Changing technological patterns of world trade  
(% growth rates, 1985-98)

Industrial vs. developing countries, 1985-98

Regional shares of developing world exports (1998)

Top 12 exporters account for over 90% of total

Leading 12 high-tech exporters ($ billion)

To gauge local technological depth and contribution

To rank Asian capabilities in technological depth, diversity and flexibility ...

Technology strategies in the  Four Asian Tigers

Korean strategy: Interventionist, nationalistic and high-tech

Taiwan: Building high-tech SMEs

Singapore: ‘Using’ MNCs

Hong Kong: Nearly Laissez Faire

Some outcomes & indicators ...

Slide 20

The ‘quality’ of technological effort:
scientists & engineers in R&D (per million population)

General skill creation by region

Regional disparities in tertiary technical enrolments (as % of population)

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Slide 25

To conclude

"Which strategies?"

"New competitiveness strategies focus on"