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Article
Publication date: 1 June 2004

Chinho Lin, Christian N. Madu, Chu‐Hua Kuei and Min H. Lu

The aim of this study is to compare the relative efficiency of quality management practices among American, Japanese, and Taiwanese firms located in Taiwan. Data envelope analysis…

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare the relative efficiency of quality management practices among American, Japanese, and Taiwanese firms located in Taiwan. Data envelope analysis (DEA) technique is used to measure the relative efficiency of these firms. Quality management practices and organizational performances are treated as input and output factors respectively. The firms are grouped in four based on their efficiency levels. These groups are referred to as robustly efficient, marginal efficient, marginal inefficient, and distinctly inefficient units in DEA. The results of the analysis showed that there is a significant difference between the levels of efficiency among the three typologies of firms – American‐, Japanese‐, and Taiwanese‐owned firms. The study found that the efficiency of quality management practices for Japanese‐owned firms is the highest, even though almost all of their employees are Taiwanese; also, American‐owned firms’ efficiency is higher than that of Taiwanese‐owned firms. It was also observed that the ethnocentric quality management practices of foreign firms in Taiwan might have contributed to the inefficiency of Taiwanese firms. The study shows that Taiwanese and US firms can benchmark the efficient practices of Japanese firms in order to be the best‐in‐class.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 21 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 July 2007

A.B. Sim and J. Rajendran Pandian

There is limited empirical research on the internationalization processes, strategies and operations of Asian multinational enterprises (MNEs) from countries at different levels…

2834

Abstract

Purpose

There is limited empirical research on the internationalization processes, strategies and operations of Asian multinational enterprises (MNEs) from countries at different levels of development. This paper examines and analyzes the internationalization strategies and characteristics of Asian MNEs within the investment development path (IDP) perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data are drawn from matched case studies of emerging MNEs from Taiwan (a newly industrializing country) and Malaysia (a fast developing country) in the textile and electronics industries.

Findings

The internationalization strategies of our Taiwanese and Malaysian case firms were founded on cost‐based competencies and other location‐based advantages, brought together by an extensive web of ethnic networks. Differences between our Taiwanese and Malaysian case firms were found and discussed. In general, the Taiwanese firms were more internationalized (at stage 3 of IDP) than the Malaysian firms (stage 2). They had more developed and elaborate production networks and greater own design manufacturing/own brand manufacturing participation than the Malaysian firms.

Research limitations/implications

The research did not capture the operational strategies at the level of the subsidiary or JV. The findings were exploratory and formed the basis for research propositions presented. As indicated there existed a wide empirical research gap on Asian as well as Taiwanese and Malaysian MNEs. These need to be filled to provide further evidence and answers to the issues raised in the paper. Other potential areas of research could include longitudinal studies of Asian MNEs to examine whether they will resemble Western MNEs as they evolve, the impact of ethnic networks on the performance of Asian MNEs of both Chinese and non‐Chinese origins, and the role of the state in internationalization strategies.

Originality/value

Few studies have been done on emerging market multinationals and their internationalisation strategies.

Details

International Journal of Emerging Markets, vol. 2 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-8809

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2014

Mayumi Tabata

This study aims to refocus the analysis of global political economies using concepts from studies on Varieties of Capitalism (VoC) to track Taiwan’s rise in the Thin Film…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to refocus the analysis of global political economies using concepts from studies on Varieties of Capitalism (VoC) to track Taiwan’s rise in the Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display (TFT-LCD) industry. Taiwanese electronics firms began to outpace their competitors from Japan in TFT-LCD industry’s competition from about the year 2000.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on depth interviews and analysis of secondary source material, newspaper and magazine.

Findings

A time factor that helps determine advantage and/or disadvantage of high-tech industry in Japan and Taiwan. Stable organizational structure and less talent mobility in the Japanese TFT-LCD firms may well have been an advantage initially in the transformation process from US firms’ experimental technologies to tacit mass production technologies, but proved to be a disadvantage in the subsequent competition with more mobile talent in Taiwanese firms eager to standardize mass production techniques. Japanese firms’ rigid organizational structure could not keep pace to the market-oriented technology strategy in the global TFT-LCD industry, lost competitive advantage in a rapid pace.

Social implications

VoC literature should be focused to highlight two insights. The first is the premise of institutional forms specific to national models of capitalism. Patterns of technology transfer appear critical in the innovation process, and differ markedly between Taiwan and Japan. Second, the VoC literature suggests comparative institutional advantage.

Originality/value

Through the comparative analyses between Taiwanese capitalism model and Japanese counterparts, we can understand the reason and process of the rise of Taiwan in global TFT-LCD market.

Article
Publication date: 19 April 2011

Hsin‐I Hsiao, Ron G.M. Kemp, Jack G.A.J. van der Vorst and S.W.F. (Onno) Omta

This paper aims to investigate outsourcing of different types of logistics activities in Taiwanese food industry, and benchmark with practices in The Netherlands.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate outsourcing of different types of logistics activities in Taiwanese food industry, and benchmark with practices in The Netherlands.

Design/methodology/approach

The outsourcing of four levels of logistics activities is investigated: transportation (level 1), packaging (level 2), transportation management (level 3), and distribution network management (level 4). A structured questionnaire was designed and sent to logistics managers in The Netherlands and Taiwan to evaluate the most commonly outsourced activities and identify specific outsourcing firm's characteristics.

Findings

About 69 per cent of the companies, in both countries outsource level 1 activities, 16 per cent level 2, and 37 per cent level 3 activities. Only few companies (about 10 per cent) outsource the highest level of activities. In particular, The Netherlands has higher percentages for levels 1 and 3. This might be caused by the fact that most Taiwanese companies emphasise low cost whereas the Dutch companies focus on flexibility in order to deal with higher complexities. When intentions for the future are included, Taiwan is planning to outsource level 2 (40 per cent) and level 4 activities (36 per cent) much more than The Netherlands (respectively 13 and 17 per cent). When zooming in, it was found that outsourcing strategies of companies in the subsectors differ. For instance, the dairy sector outsources more frequently than the meat sector on the first three levels. This might be caused by the fact that meat companies emphasise food quality, whereas dairy companies emphasise flexibility and reliability.

Research limitations/implications

This study investigated only food processors. The paper suggests further research should include other types of food organisations.

Originality/value

The paper provides valuable insights in outsourcing strategies of food processing companies in Taiwan and The Netherlands for advanced logistics service providers who are looking at the market potential of Taiwan.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 113 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 14 March 2003

Hung-bin Ding and Pier A Abetti

The economic development of Taiwan, from a poor island colony to a world leader in electronic hardware manufacturing, has been spectacular. This study shows that the success of…

Abstract

The economic development of Taiwan, from a poor island colony to a world leader in electronic hardware manufacturing, has been spectacular. This study shows that the success of Taiwan may be largely attributed to the synergistic combination of two separate factors: (1) the utilization of unique social capital inherent in the Chinese family entrepreneurs, and (2) the institutional support from the government and other entities, such as Technology Parks, for the creation of scientific and technical knowledge and, most important, for the diffusion and exploitation of technology-based opportunities by these family businesses.

Details

Issues in Entrepeneurship
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84950-200-9

Abstract

Details

Topics in Analytical Political Economy
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84950-809-4

Article
Publication date: 3 February 2012

Yan Chen, Wen‐Chung Hsu and Chengqi Wang

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of outward foreign direct investment (O‐FDI) on the competitiveness of home‐country export.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of outward foreign direct investment (O‐FDI) on the competitiveness of home‐country export.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs a six‐year data set from Taiwanese manufacturing data for 15 industries over the period between 1991 and 2007.

Findings

The authors find that exports in Taiwan are positively associated with O‐FDI by Taiwanese firms. This finding supports the view that outward FDI complements home country exports and concurs with the majority of earlier empirical findings which focus on developed home countries. The authors also find that such effect is stronger for Taiwanese FDI in China than in other countries and in traditional sectors than in modern sectors.

Originality/value

These findings suggest that location‐and industry‐specific characteristics moderate the strength of the relationship between O‐FDI and home country exports.

Details

Journal of Chinese Economic and Foreign Trade Studies, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-4408

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 April 2011

Yen Hsu

Taiwanese computer and electronic products possess advantages in design, innovation, rapid response, and global market flexibility. This study aims to examine Taiwanese computer…

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Abstract

Purpose

Taiwanese computer and electronic products possess advantages in design, innovation, rapid response, and global market flexibility. This study aims to examine Taiwanese computer and electronics firms to explore the product marketing strategies they adopted to deal with global competition. Furthermore, it is intended to analyze firms in different marketing strategic groups in terms of their product design strategies and how they incorporated design and marketing strategies into design innovation. This analysis is applied as an integrated innovation model for allocating design and marketing strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a questionnaire survey and case studies, the marketing strategies adopted by the Taiwanese computer and electronics industry can be classified into the categories of “market leader”, “market focus”, “market challenge” and “market niche”.

Findings

Firms employing different marketing strategies employed different design innovation strategies in product design. The design strategies adopted by enterprises in the market leader group incorporated aggressive innovation; those in the market focus group were characterized by focus innovation in product design; those in the market challenge group exhibited strong innovation integration in product design; and those in the market niche group exhibited flexible innovation in product design.

Originality/value

The innovation models adopted by the Taiwanese computer and electronics industry were related to enterprise scale, business type, and product development category. Results of this study provide a valuable reference for enterprises with regard to R&D and marketing in relation to product innovation.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 26 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 24 August 2011

Tommy Tsung Ying Shih

Researchers continue to seek understanding of industrialization as a state managed process. How to create and implement new industries based on advanced knowledge is on the policy…

Abstract

Researchers continue to seek understanding of industrialization as a state managed process. How to create and implement new industries based on advanced knowledge is on the policy agenda of many advanced nations. Measures that promote these developments include national capacity building in science and technology, the formation of technology transfer systems, and the establishment of industrial clusters. What these templates often overlook is an analysis of use. This chapter aims to increase the understanding of the processes that embed new solutions in structures from an industrial network perspective. The chapter describes an empirical study of high-technology industrialization in Taiwan that the researcher conducts to this end. The study shows that the Taiwanese industrial model is oversimplified and omits several important factors in the development of new industries. This study bases its findings on the notions that resource combination occurs in different time and space, the new always builds on existing resource structures, and the users are important as active participants in development processes.

Details

Interfirm Networks: Theory, Strategy, and Behavior
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78052-024-7

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2005

Liang‐Hung Lin and Iuan‐Yuan Lu

This empirical study aims to examine an organizational response to the needs of e‐business, virtual organization, and associated determinants of its successful adoption in the…

4849

Abstract

Purpose

This empirical study aims to examine an organizational response to the needs of e‐business, virtual organization, and associated determinants of its successful adoption in the Taiwanese electronics industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research examined a large sample of Taiwanese electronics companies. A research population of Taiwanese electronics companies was drawn from firms listed on both the TAIEX and the OTC markets and included 305 firms. Questionnaires were sent to firm administrators who were asked the degree to which the company had undertaken virtual organizational structuring that was enabled by information technologies.

Findings

The findings of this research reveal significant impacts of individual and organizational factors, but no effect for environmental variables on virtual organization adoption.

Research limitations/implications

While the results might provide clues for understanding the adoption of virtual organization structure in the manufacturing sector, there still remains uncertainty in generalizing to service industries. The variety of types of service firms and their outputs makes any generalization to services from this study difficult.

Practical implications

First, information technologies may provide the potential means to implement innovative organization structures, such as virtual organization, to respond to the pressures of change. Second, the adoption and diffusion of virtual organization might transform firms to meet the demands of e‐commerce.

Originality/value

The study identifies factors which may impact on the successful use of information technologies to implement innovative organization structures, such as virtual organizations, to respond to the pressures of change.

Details

Journal of Organizational Change Management, vol. 18 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0953-4814

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 5000