Latecomer firms, technology learning and the changing division of labour in Taiwan's electronics industry

This thesis examines the role of 'latecomer' firms in the development of the Taiwanese electronics industry, especially from the perspective of technology transfer. Latecomer firms are indigenous firms that are large, able to challenge the competitive power of multi-national corporations, and originally conceived in East Asian contexts. Conceptually, latecomer firms are examined as mechanisms of technology transfer within the framework of the (reverse) product cycle model and the changing international division of labour (DL). Empirically, the analysis draws on in-depth personal interviews with representatives of three latecomer firms in Taiwan's electrical industry, as well interviews with government and association officials. The analysis reveals the importance of latecomer firms as a source of learning and skill formation in Taiwan along the lines of the reverse product life cycle model and variations among latecomer firms in the nature of learning. Implications for Taiwan's role in the IDL are also noted.