Introduction

This book investigates restructuring in the electronics industry and in particular the impact of a \u2018Chinese\u2019 labour regime on work and employ - ment practices in electronics assembly in Europe.1 Electronics is an extremely dynamic sector, characterized by an ever-changing organi - zational structure, as well as cut-throat competition, particularly in manufacturing. Located primarily in East Asia, electronics assembly has become notorious for poor working conditions, low unionisation and authoritarian labour relations. However, hostile labour relations and topdown HR policies are not unique to East Asia. They have become associated with the way the sector is governed more broadly, with a number of Western companies also coming to rely on such practices

Value creation by Turkish enterprises

This study focuses on the resurgence of the automotive and appliance sectors in Turkey’s recent years. The analysis of both these sectors reveals some interesting lessons about technology management and investment strategies for companies to invest in Turkey. We discuss the major changes and project the future in both industries. Turkey seems to be a clear winner though there are some factors that could reverse the trend. The research is a joint field study partne rship between Carnegie Mellon and Sabanci Universities

On the determinants of euro area FDI to the United States: the knowledge- capital-Tobin's Q framework

The long-run determinants of euro area FDI to the United States during the period 1980-2001 are explained by employing the Tobin's Q-model of investment. By using the fixed effects panel estimator, stock market developments in the euro area countries - including a measure adjusted for economic developments common to both the United States and the euro area - are found to influence euro area FDI to the United States. Moreover, the inclusion of the Tobin's Q enhances the traditional knowledge-capital framework specification. Overall, the empirical findings suggest that euro area patents (ownership advantage), various variables related to productivity in the United States (location advantage), the volume of bilateral telephone traffic to the United States relative to euro area GDP (ownership advantage), euro area stock market developments (Tobin's Q), and the real exchange rate are statistically significant determinants of euro area FDI to the United States. JEL Classification: F21, F23euro area, Foreign Direct Investment, Multinational firms, Tobins Q

National systems of innovation in the Japanese and American consumer electronics industries.

Innovation is a hallmark of the consumer electronics industry as firms compete to capture greater shares in a competitive market. The culmination of such innovation recently promoted a trend toward digital convergence within the industry as products from the consumer electronics and computer industries incorporate similar characteristics and capabilities. As such, consumer electronics offers a unique perspective on the role of innovation and national systems of innovation within a technologically motivated industry. National systems of innovation are those systems within a state that promote innovation through educational institutions, technical or scientific institutions, cultural traditions, and government policies. Innovation’s link to economic prosperity and the knowledge base associated with innovative behavior confers a highly valuable competitive advantage for nations in an increasingly globalized world. Thus, the incorporation and promotion of national systems of innovation and the trend toward a digital convergence oriented market within the consumer electronics industry could allow American consumer electronics and computer firms the ability to level the balance of power in this heavily Japanese dominated industry. An industry innovation award is used to illustrate differences between Japanese and American firms as well as note the innovative capability of American firms