Technology Importation, Corporate Strategies, and the Rise of the Japanese Semiconductor Industry in the 1950s
During the 1950s, the Japanese semicon - ductor industry rose from nothing to a level that was roughly on par with that of the United States. It is undeniable that this was due in large part to the importation of advanced technology from lead - ing U.S. firms. In the process of technology transfer from the Unit- ed States to Japan, previous scholars have emphasized the impor - tance of the role played by the highly restrictive government tech - nology-importation policy during this period. The aim of this arti - cle is to analyze this story from the perspective of Japanese com - panies, which exhibited divergent strategies for acquiring foreign technology. These strategies were shaped by complex calculations that took into account firms' organizational capability and U.S. li- censing practices and antitrust policy, as well as the technology- importation policy of MITI (Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry). In short, this article argues that Japanese firms were not passive receptors, but active agents in shaping the pattern of technology importation.
Japan's technology-import policies in the 1950s and 1960s: did they increase industrial competitiveness?
There is growing scepticism about the value of government technology-import policies. The collapse of the command economies in Russia and Eastern Europe has given new weight to the opinions of those arguing for the superiority of unobstructed markets. The lack of conspicuous success in countries trying to regulate technology imports has also contributed to the scepticism. A number of authors have suggested that even Japan, once the pervasive model for successful technology policy, was successful in spite of these policies, not because of them. This paper seeks to adjust this emerging conventional wisdom. It refutes much of the evidence suggesting that the Japanese policies failed, but notes that those seeking to use a Japanese model may not have had a complete understanding of the Japanese policies and why they worked. It describes this model in some detail. The paper also points out that the Japanese policies were suited to a specific context that had some unusual features. This context needs careful consideration by those seeking to use the Japanese model.
What can students learn from studying medicine in literature?
To identify what students can learn from studying medicine and literature as part of a final‐year special study module in general practice.