Book Description

This book assesses the challenges confronting the Factory Asia model. It examines how countries that are already part of Factory Asia can move up the value chain, and how economies that currently stand outside the parameters of Factory Asia can find ways to join the global network production system. The book hinges on two tasks: first, how fast can Asia expand its own domestic and regional markets; and second, how fast can Asia upgrade its competitiveness in the manufacturing sector. As analyzed in great detail and depth in this book, small and big obstacles stand in the way of fulfilling these tasks. Without clever economic reasoning, shrewd strategy, and immense political entrepreneurship, the new Factory Asia will remain as an unfinished agenda. This book will serve as catalyst for officials, experts and industries to facilitate a larger public dialogue in and out of Asia, and help generate momentum for the transformation of Asia into a more inclusive and sustainable platform for the future of Factory Asia. Contents Tables and Figures Contributors Foreword Executive Summary Abbreviations PartⅠ Beyond Factory Asia 1. Beyond Factory Asia: Fuelling Growth in a Changing World 2. Can Free Trade Agreements Support the Growth or Spread of Factory Asia PartⅡ Outsourcing Risks of Asian Manufacturing and Services 3. The Effect of International Outsourcing on Job Growth in the Republic of Korea 4. Do Small and Medium Enterprises Gain from Global Production Networks Evidence from the Republic of Korea 5. Changing Competitiveness of the Japanese Manufacturing Sector and Firms in Regional Production Networks in Asia 6. Services Sector Integration in Asia: Emerging Regional Service Business Models PartⅢ Source of Germany’s Competitiveness in Manufacturing 7. What has been Maintaining Germany’s Competitiveness in Manufacturing