Reforming State-Owned Enterprises in Asia


Book Description

This book analyzes state-owned enterprises (SOEs), which are still significant players in many Asian economies. They provide essential public services, build and operate key infrastructure, and are often reservoirs of public employment. Their characteristics and inherent competitive advantages as publicly owned enterprises allow them to play these critical roles. Their weaknesses in governance and inefficiencies in incentive structures, however, also often lead to poor performance. SOEs must be efficient, transparent, and accountable to level the playing field for private companies, secure the growth of a vibrant private sector, and achieve sustained and inclusive economic growth. This book analyzes the reform of SOEs in Asia, the results of which are mixed. The volume concludes that some key conditions generally need to be met for SOE reforms to be successful: national bureaucracies must have the capacity to implement the reforms, and adverse impacts on international trade and investment must be avoided.







Public Enterprises in ASEAN


Book Description

Public enterprise plays an important role in the process of economic development for most developing countries. In ASEAN, while the extents of government enterprises involved in economic activities differ from one another, their importance has been increasingly recognized. This paper attempts a comparative survey of public enterprises in ASEAN. Through the survey, the motives, institutional features, and problems of public enterprises in this area are identified.




Public Administration in the NICs


Book Description

The four dragons of Asia - Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea - have achieved remarkable progress over the past decades. These newly industrialising countries (NICs) have emerged as major actors on the world economic scene. Their success can be attributed to a number of factors related to historical background, relationship with China, pattern of governance and performance of administrative, political and economic institutions. This book examines the role of public administration in the accomplishments of the NICs and identifies potential areas of challenge for the dragons.




Development in Malaysia (Routledge Revivals)


Book Description

First published in 1986, the Malaysian economy has grown remarkably since 1970 but despite this poverty is still widespread. This book examines the record of economic development in Malaysia over this period and evaluates the success of the New Economic Policy. In particular it examines the merits of the trusteeship strategy in its aim to eradicate poverty and in socioeconomimc restructuring.




Routledge Handbook of Asia in World Politics


Book Description

Asia is a complex and diverse continent, which has seen the scope and pace of transformation increase rapidly over the past 30 years. In turn, the economic growth and social change seen in the region, combined with new global security profiles and environmental challenges, have contributed to placing Asia at the forefront of international affairs. This Handbook brings together leading scholars of different disciplines, including Politics and International Relations, Security Studies and Law, to provide a comprehensive analysis of both the prospects and problems which have emerged from Asia’s rise. Examining how developments across the continent have influenced global politics and how the region has responded to the international community in the modern era, the sections cover: Major actors in Asian politics, especially China, Japan and India, International relations in Asia and intra-Asian tensions Special issues of world politics in Asia including modern conflicts in and attitudes towards the Middle East The Routledge Handbook of Asia in World Politics will be useful to students and scholars of Global Politics, International Relations and Asian Studies.




Economic Liberalism and the Developmental State


Book Description

This book provides a fresh perspective on the debate over the role of the state in East Asia’s development history. Comparing the post-war development policies of Singapore and Hong Kong, it argues that their strong economic performances preceded and persisted despite, not because of, developmental state policies. While both nations are not pure free markets, the Hong Kong economy comes closer to that ideal and exhibited clear advantages over state-driven Singapore, in terms of greater levels of indigenous entrepreneurship, productivity and innovation. The book highlights the complex ways in which states penetrate markets, which are often neglected in liberal accounts of Hong Kong and Singapore as ‘free-market success stories’. At the same time, it also stands as a cautionary tale on the use of non-comprehensive development planning in the twenty-first century, where an unprecedented degree of complexity complicates economic policy and industrial upgrading. The book renews the case for economic liberalism in development policy through a unique Asian cultural lens.







The Singapore Economy Reconsidered


Book Description

This study re-examines some of the issues, challenges and policy options facing the Singapore economy in the light of the 1985–86 recession. Particular attention is paid towards reappraising the role of the government as an entrepreneur in economic activity, in macro-economic management, in savings and investment, and in the labour market. This is done in the context of and alongside an assessment of Singapore’s linkages with the global economy and its future comparative advantage in a dynamic international environment.