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Regional Development and the Competitive Dynamics of Global Production Networks: An East Asian Perspective

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  • Henry Wai-chung Yeung

Abstract

Yeung H. W.-C. Regional development and the competitive dynamics of global production networks: an East Asian perspective, Regional Studies. The debate on the nature and dynamics of regional development in both academic and policy circles has now moved on from the earlier focus on endogenous regional assets to analysing the complex relationship between globalization and regional change. This position paper attempts to engage with this debate through the experience of regional development in East Asia. The paper shows that regional development cannot be understood independently of the changing dynamics of global production networks. While the existing literature on East Asia tends to focus on the state as the key driver of economic development at the national and regional levels, it is argued that the developmental state is a necessary but not sufficient condition for regional development to take place. Instead, one needs to study the complex strategic coupling of those economic actors, particularly large business firms, operating in specific regions in Asia with their lead firm counterparts orchestrating production networks on a global basis. To illustrate these strategic coupling processes and their impact on divergent regional development trajectories, the author draws upon his own primary data and other papers to be published in this special issue of Regional Studies. The paper concludes with some major implications for theorizing regional development and strategic regional policy options. [image omitted] Yeung H. W.-C. L'amenagement du territoire et la dynamique competitive des reseaux de production mondiaux: du point de vue de l'Asie de l'Est, Regional Studies. Le debat sur les caracteristiques et la dynamique de l'amenagment du territoire dans les milieux academique et politique ne met plus l'accent mis sur les atouts regionaux endogenes mais plutot sur l'analyse du rapport complexe entre la mondialisation et l'evolution regionale. Cet article cherche a s'engager dans ce debat a partir de l'experience de l'amenagement du territoire en Asie de l'Est. Cet article montre que l'amenagement du territoire ne peut pas s'expliquer independamment de la dynamique changeante des reseaux de production mondiaux. Alors que la documentation actuelle sur l'Asie de l'Est a tendance a porter sur l'etat comme la principale force motrice sur les plans national et regional, on affirme que l'etat du developpement constitue une condition necessaire mais insuffisante de l'amenagement du territoire. Plutot, on etudie l'accouplement strategique complexe de ces agents economiques, notamment les grandes entreprises qui operent dans des regions specifiques en Asie pendant que leurs entreprises phares homologues organisent des reseaux de production mondiaux. Pour illustrer ces processus d'accouplement strategique et leur impact sur diverses trajectoires d'amenagement du territoire, on puise dans les donnees de base de l'auteur et dans d'autres articles a paraitre dans ce numero special de Regional Studies. Pour conclure, l'article discute d'importantes implications quant a la theorisation de l'amenagement du territoire et aux options strategiques pour la politique regionale. Amenagement du territoire Reseaux de production mondiaux Accouplement strategique Processus transfrontaliers Asie Entreprises Etats Yeung H. W.-C. Regionalentwicklung und die Wettbewerbsdynamik globaler Produktionsnetze: eine ostasiatische Perspektive, Regional Studies. Die akademische und politische Debatte uber die Art und Dynamik der Regionalentwicklung konzentriert sich heute weniger auf endogenes regionales Kapital; stattdessen wird zunehmend die komplexe Beziehung zwischen Globalisierung und regionaler Veranderung analysiert. In diesem Positionsaufsatz versuche ich, mit den Erfahrungen der Regionalentwicklung in Ostasien zu dieser Debatte beizutragen. Aus dem Aufsatz geht hervor, dass sich die Regionalentwicklung nicht unabhangig von der wandelnden Dynamik globaler Produktionsnetze verstehen lasst. Die vorhandene Literatur in Ostasien konzentriert sich in der Regel auf den Staat als wichtigsten Motor der Wirtschaftsentwicklung auf nationaler und regionaler Ebene; ich hingegen argumentiere, dass ein die Entwicklung fordernder Staat zwar eine notwendige, jedoch keine ausreichende Vorbedingung fur Regionalentwicklung darstellt. Stattdessen ist es notig, die komplexe strategische Kopplung dieser wirtschaftlichen Akteure zu untersuchen - insbesondere die von Grossunternehmen, die in bestimmten Regionen Asiens tatig sind und deren Leitfirmen Produktionsnetze auf weltweiter Ebene steuern. Um diese strategischen Kopplungsprozesse und ihre Auswirkung auf divergente regionale Entwicklungsverlaufe zu illustrieren, werte ich meine eigenen Primardaten sowie weitere Aufsatze aus, die in dieser Sonderausgabe von Regional Studies veroffentlicht werden. Zum Abschluss des Beitrags werden verschiedene wichtige Auswirkungen auf die Theoretisierung der Optionen fur die Regionalentwicklung und strategische Regionalpolitik dargestellt. Regionalentwicklung Globale Produktionsnetze Strategische Kopplung Transregionale Prozesse Asien Unternehmen Staaten Yeung H. W.-C. Desarrollo regional y las dinamicas competitivas de las redes de produccion global: una perspectiva esteasiatica, Regional Studies. El debate academico y politico sobre la naturaleza y las dinamicas del desarrollo regional ya no se centra como antes en el capital regional de tipo endogeno sino que tiene como objetivo analizar la relacion compleja entre la globalizacion y el cambio regional. En este informe pretendo contribuir a este debate a traves de la experiencia del desarrollo regional en el este de Asia. En el articulo demuestro que el desarrollo regional no puede ser entendido independientemente de las dinamicas cambiantes de las redes de produccion global. Si bien la literatura existente sobre el este de Asia tiende a centrarse en el estado como el principal motor del desarrollo economico a niveles nacionales y regionales, sostengo que el estado de desarrollo es una condicion necesaria pero no suficiente para que ocurra el desarrollo regional. Mas bien necesitamos estudiar la compleja conexion estrategica de estos protagonistas economicos, especialmente para grandes empresas comerciales que funcionan en regiones especificas en Asia y cuyos socios lideres organizan las redes de produccion en todo el mundo. A fin de ilustrar estos procesos de conexion estrategica y sus repercusiones en trayectorias divergentes de desarrollo regional, me beneficio de mis propios datos primarios y otros documentos que se publicaran en este numero especial de Regional Studies. Este ensayo concluye con algunas implicaciones principales para teorizar las opciones del desarrollo regional y de la politica regional estrategica. Desarrollo regional Redes de produccion global Conexion estrategica Procesos trans-regionales Asia Empresas comerciales Estados

Suggested Citation

  • Henry Wai-chung Yeung, 2009. "Regional Development and the Competitive Dynamics of Global Production Networks: An East Asian Perspective," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(3), pages 325-351.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:regstd:v:43:y:2009:i:3:p:325-351
    DOI: 10.1080/00343400902777059
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    References listed on IDEAS

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