Technology, Market Structure and Internationalization discusses the domestic and external factors that impinge upon the process of technological capability building in developing countries and draws policy implications. Specifically, it examines the interaction between technological effort in developing countries. Providing fresh insights, this volume will be of interest to researchers in development economics as well as to those involved with the creation of policy in developing countries.

Technology, Market Structure and Internationalization discusses the domestic and external factors that impinge upon the process of technological capability building in developing countries and draws policy implications. Specifically, it examines the interaction between technological effort in developing countries. Providing fresh insights, this volume will be of interest to researchers in development economics as well as to those involved with the creation of policy in developing countries.

Im ersten Teil des Buches werden einschlägige Internationalisierungstheorien vorgestellt. Neben traditionellen Konzepten der Internationalisierung (z.B. Produktlebenszyklusansatz von Vernon, Uppsala Modell und Porter’s Diamant Ansatz) wird den moderneren Netzwerkansätzen (z.B. Systemansatz, New Venture bzw. Born Global und Entrepreneurkonzepte) besonderer Stellenwert eingeräumt. Im zweiten Teil werden Alternativen des internationalen Markteintritts (z.B. Exporte, Franchising, Joint Ventures, Auftragsproduktion und Direktinvestitionen) mit Bezug auf elementare Entscheidungsdeterminanten aus Sicht der Unternehmensführung, wie hierarchische Kontrolle, Marktnähe, Investitionsrisiko und dem Faktor Zeit, erläutert. Im empirischen Teil des Buches werden im Resultat einer Langzeituntersuchung Fallstudien asiatischer Firmen der Konsumentenelektronikindustrie, wie beispielsweise Samsung, Sony, Sharp, Matsushita (Panasonic), LG Electronics und TCL China, deren Organisationsstrukturen, Unternehmenskulturen, jeweilige Umsatz- und Gewinnentwicklung, sowie strategische Konzepte zur Marktdurchdringung in Europa erläutert. Ein Schwerpunkt bildet die Darstellung interner (z.B. diversifizierte Geschäftsfelder, vertikale Produktionstiefe) und externer Netzwerke (z.B. Joint Ventures, Zuliefer- und Abnehmercluster sowie Kapitalbeteiligungen) die aus Sicht des Autors wesentlich dazu beitragen, dass sich asiatische Unternehmen im Vergleich zu ihren europäischen Wettbewerbern der Fernsehgeräteindustrie (z.B. Grundig, Thomson oder Philips) in den letzten beiden Jahrzehnten wesentlich erfolgreicher am Markt positioniert haben. In diesem Zusammenhang werden Ziele, Erfolgsfaktoren sowie der strategische Einfluss der involvierten Partnerfirmen, einerseits in bilateralen japanischen Joint Ventures und andererseits, in europäisch - asiatischen Joint Ventures, über einen Zeitverlauf von mehreren Jahren untersucht. Das Buch liefert komplexe Hintergrundinformationen zur Entwicklung des europäischen Fernsehgerätemarktes. Im Ergebnis wird unter anderem nachgewiesen, dass Unternehmen mit den intensivsten Netzwerkaktivitäten auch gleichzeitig technologische Marktführer in ihrem Segment sind. Die Weiterentwicklung der Netzwerktheorie und die ausführlichen Fallstudien mit hohem Aktualitätsanspruch, der wichtigsten asiatischen Unternehmen der Konsumentenelektronikindustrie, prägen den besonderen Wert dieser Publikation. Auf der Basis der gewonnenen Erkenntnisse können darüber hinaus Chancen- und Risikopotentiale für andere europäische Branchen (z.B. Automobilbau) abgeleitet werden. Das in Englisch geschriebene Buch eignet sich hervorragend für Studierende international ausgerichteter Bachelor-, Master- und MBA Studiengänge und bietet vor dem Hintergrund eines globalisierten Wettbewerbs darüber hinaus relevante Industrieeinblicke für interessierte Entscheidungsträger aus Politik und Wirtschaft. The first part of the book introduces relevant theories of internationalization. In addition to traditional concepts of internationalization (e.g., the product life-cycle approach of Vernon, the Uppsala model, and Porter's diamond approach), particular attention is paid to the more modern network approaches of internationalization (e.g., systems, new venture/born global, and entrepreneur concepts). In the second part, alternatives for international market entry (e.g., exports, franchising, joint ventures, contract manufacturing, and foreign direct investments) are explained. These market entry modes are categorized according to decision determinants, such as hierarchical control, proximity to the market, risk of investment, and the factor of time, which are important from the point of view of the corporate management involved in international business. The empirical part of this publication, which is the result of a longitudional study, consists of case studies of Asian firms doing business in the consumer electronics industry. The cases of Samsung, Sony, Sharp, Matsushita (Panasonic), LG Electronics, and TCL China provide fundamental insights into the firms’ organizational structures, corporate cultures, respective sales volume, and earnings performance as well as strategic concepts for their market penetration in Europe. A main emphasis is placed on an understanding of internal firm networks (e.g., diversified business fields and vertical production depth) and external firm networks (e.g., joint ventures, supplier and buyer clusters as well as mutual capital interests). From the author’s view, these network grids fundamentally contribute to the fact that Asian firms have more successfully positioned themselves in the market within the last two decades compared to their European competitors in the television set industry (e.g. Grundig, Thomson, or Philips). The networking aims and success factors as well as the changing strategic influence over the years of the partner firms both in bilateral Japanese joint ventures and in European-Asian joint ventures are examined. The book provides complex background information about the development of the European television set market. The analysis demonstrates that firms holding the position of technological market leaders in their segment simultaneously indicate the most intensive network activities. The further development of the network theory and the detailed and up-to-date case studies of the most important Asian enterprises in the consumer electronics industry contribute to the value of this publication. Furthermore, on the basis of the knowledge gained from this study, chances and risk potentials can be derived for other European industries (e.g., automotive). The book, written in English, is suitable for internationally oriented bachelor’s, master’s and MBA programs. Additionally, against the background of worldwide competition, the publication at hand offers relevant industry insights for interested political and economic decision makers.

This volume deals with the role and impact of technology on the economy and society. The papers on corporate dimensions address the impact of patents, determinants of innovative activities, differential behaviour of multinationals, industrial groups and other firms with regard to innovations and technology. In contrast, the papers on social dimensions chiefly deal with the role of technology in reducing inequality. The majority of the papers employ econometric techniques and other statistical methods, and many are based on primary data. The studies emphasise the importance of innovations (especially patents) and human capital in influencing productivity across Indian states, the significance of patenting in determining the efficiency of firms, the role of business groups in promoting innovations, differences in the technological characteristics of multinational and domestic firms, and how mergers and acquisitions can promote R&D. The papers on social dimensions analyse how innovative activities can shape employment, the impact of technology on poverty, the socioeconomic characteristics of mobile phone ownerships, use of information and communications technologies at educational institutions, and the influence of Synchronous Technologies in reducing access to teaching programmes./div The studies show that those Indian states that have invested in human capital and technology experienced higher labour productivity. Further, the studies establish a positive correlation between R&D spending and employment. Lastly, they demonstrate that the adoption of agriculture-related technologies can have a significant impact on rural poverty and consumption expenditures.

The International Conference on Chinese Enterprise Research (ICCER) is an annual event organized by the Lien-Chinese Enterprise Research Centre, Nanyang Technological University. Held on 13 and 14 December 2007 at Nanyang Technological University and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry respectively, the succeeding ICCER enjoyed immense support from local and international Management scholars, boosting the scale and academic standing of the conference. The conference invited famous keynote speakers, including Professor Zhang Weiying, Dean of Guanghua School of Management, Peking University and Professor Zhao Renwei, former director of the Institute of Economy, Chinese Academy of Social Science. At the same time, attendance also included heads of Nanjing University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Northwest University and Sichuan University''s Management and Economics schools, together with research directors and professors of the finest educational institutions. In addition to academic presentations, a panel of prominent economists such as Professor Tan Khee Giap from Nanyang Technological University, Mr Xu Li, General Manager of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Singapore) and Mr Jack Niu, Deputy Group Chief Credit Officer, Standard Chartered Bank also deliberated on the topic OCyInternationalization of Banks in ChinaOCO. The keynote speeches, together with a collection of 25 excellent research papers from the conference are presented to the readers in this proceedings."

The international development of SMEs is an important growth vehicle for the Belgian and European economies. Yet far too few of them actually dare to take the step required. Does this mean to say that they should see internationalisation as a given? No, of course not! Internationalisation has a significant impact on companies’ decision-making and managerial processes. The risks involved need to be covered and the right form of funding found. There are numerous public measures in place aimed at supporting businesses in their efforts. The aim of “The Internationalisation of SMEs” is to inform business-owners about the various aspects of internationalisation and to provide them with practical answers about the ways they can find funding and cover themselves against the risks they incur. It also draws up a list of the public support measures designed to support Belgian SMEs in their projects abroad.