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Job and Skill Impacts of New Technology in the East Asian Electronics Industry

Author

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  • Heeks, Richard
  • Slamen-McCann, Anne

Abstract

This paper reviews recent (post-1985) research literature on job and skill impacts associated with new manufacturing technologies and more globalised production in the East Asian electronics export industry. It describes the unique developmental, technological and cultural framework of the industry, as a result of which it is successfully managing the assimilation of new technology. Employment levels are not falling in the face of automation, while the main problem remains labour shortage. Imported technology has been effectively absorbed and technological capabilities have been accum ulated, up to levels of globally-competitive innovation in the most successful cases. There is a fresh round of international division of labour in which East Asia emerges as a new 'core' and second-tier Asian nations as a new 'periphery'. Government has played an important role but national tri-partite mechanisms need to be fostered, in particular to address the rapidly emerging issue of continuous training and retraining.

Suggested Citation

  • Heeks, Richard & Slamen-McCann, Anne, 1996. "Job and Skill Impacts of New Technology in the East Asian Electronics Industry," General Discussion Papers 30559, University of Manchester, Institute for Development Policy and Management (IDPM).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:idpmgd:30559
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.30559
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    9. Hoffman, Kurt, 1985. "Microelectronics, international competition and development strategies: The unavoidable issues -- Editor's introduction," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 13(3), pages 263-272, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Srinivas, Smita, 2009. "Industry policy, technological change, and the state," MPRA Paper 52691, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. repec:ilo:ilowps:370118 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Barrientos, Stephanie. & Kabeer, Naila. & Hossain, Naomi., 2004. "The gender dimensions of the globalization of production," ILO Working Papers 993701183402676, International Labour Organization.
    4. Das, Satya P., 2002. "Foreign direct investment and the relative wage in a developing economy," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 67(1), pages 55-77, February.

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