A dichotomy dismantled : reflections on National Identity among supporters of third force political parties in Taiwan

This thesis explores Taiwanese national identity among supporters of so-called “Third Force” political parties that have emerged as an alternative to Taiwan’s two “old” parties, the KMT and the DPP. The Third Force parties are taken as a manifestation of a stronger Taiwanese identity in a society long characterised by competing Taiwanese and Chinese identities. Taiwanese identity has strengthened in surveys simultaneously with Taiwan’s deepening economic and political integration with China in 2008–2016, and the establishment of the Third Force parties can be seen as a counter-reaction to increasing Chinese influence over Taiwan. This thesis analyses these developments by examining how supporters of Third Force parties define and understand their Taiwanese identity and how this identity relates to Taiwan’s history and the recent socio-political developments, particularly the deepening integration with China. Based on a theoretical background of social constructionism and interdependence in international relations, this thesis uses secondary research to explore the history and contemporary developments of Taiwanese identity and primary research through qualitative semi-structured interviews with Third Force supporters, complemented by an interview with a Third Force politician. The national identity of the interviewees is examined through qualitative content analysis. Additionally, the study includes the author’s personal field observations from Taiwan in 2016–17. The results indicate that Third Force supporters construct their identity through democratic civic values. Thus, their rejection of Chinese identity arises from the lack of similar values in China. This sense of identity has evolved dynamically through societal functions such as education and life experiences within the context of contested official and popular nationalisms. Owing to this identity, the Third Force supporters wish that Taiwan could become a “normal” country whose existence is not defined in relation to China. A similarly broader focus is desired in domestic politics to break the old dichotomy of the KMT and the DPP. Through comparisons with earlier research, this study proposes a model of national identity among Third Force supporters. It depicts a civic community that governs a multitude of ethnicities, political actors, and international networks grounded in shared civic values. Adherents to this model reject ethno-nationalism and the dichotomous struggle between Taiwanese and Chinese identities by asserting an inclusive and flexible yet overtly Taiwanese civic identity. Further research should be conducted to establish the validity of this model and its relation to Taiwanese society in general

Spatial Planning and High-tech Development

High-tech development—which lies at the very heart of the processes of economic growth—has been recognised by many developed and developing countries as a strategic instrument to enhance and sustain their competitiveness in the global economic network. Although the concept of high-tech development differs between countries, many share the underlying assumption that the core of high-tech development is to create a sound environment where innovation thrives. This ideology implies a definite spatial dimension. As a result, various spatial strategies have been formulated and implemented to support high-tech development. This has had intentional and unintentional effects on the economy, society and space. Numerous studies have been devoted to exploring, analysing and theorising this global phenomenon. However, there has been less attention given to the role spatial planning may play in the process of high-tech development and to the factors that shape the spatial planning approaches to high-tech development in a particular place. The major objectives of this research are to advance the knowledge of the role of spatial planning in the process of high-tech development, and to establish an analytical framework that helps reveal the major institutional factors that shape spatial planning mechanisms for dealing with the spatial issues of high-tech development in different places. This contributes to the field of high-tech spatial policies transfer and lesson-drawing. In order to explore the major factors that shape the practices of spatial planning in hightech development, a comparative approach is applied in this research. The Eindhoven city-region in the Netherlands and the Hsinchu city-region in Taiwan are selected as case study areas. Both city-regions can be recognised as success stories of high-tech development not only on a national scale but also on a global scale, despite the fact that they apply different approaches. In the Eindhoven city-region, the governments act as supporters and governors. High-tech development in the city-region is a result of close collaboration between different levels of government and other parties. In contrast, in the Hsinchu city-region the governments act as providers in high-tech development. By critically reviewing relevant literature, the research begins with the identification of principal components of high-tech development and their spatial dimensions, and with the establishment of a set of comparative frameworks, which are built upon the concepts of institutionalism and previous comparative studies of spatial planning systems. On the basis of the frameworks, the comparative study is conducted. Four major conclusions are drawn in this research. First, R&D capital, relational capital and human capital can be identified as the principal components of high-tech development, but the conception of the principal components is not static. It may change through time and space, and be influenced by contemporary technological development and dominant discourses about high-tech development. Additionally, how governments in a particular place conceptualise the principal components will influence the content of their strategies for high-tech development. Second, how governments in a particular place use their spatial planning system and tools to conduct, facilitate and/or coordinate the development of high-tech spaces is influenced by the socio-political context (e.g. model of society, administration system and conceptualisation of rights in land), conceptualisation of the principal components, dominant style of spatial planning, but also by their historical roots and contemporary technological capacities. At the city-regional level, the particular culture characteristics and historical experience of a city-region also have effects on the approach to spatial governance. Third, it is common that governments recognise the necessity of collaborating with knowledge institutes and high-tech firms in the process of high-tech spatial development, because they have access to a wide range of know-how and crucial resources. The creation of new institutional arenas to invite institutes and firms to participate in the process of decision-making is a good strategy for governments, although they must assure that the decision-making process is transparent and accountable, and meets the principles of social justice. Finally, the two cases have shown that a successful high-tech spatial development would have spatial effects on the surrounding areas, such as traffic congestion, imbalance between land supply and demand for housing and/or industrial land, and so on. It is necessary to anticipate and monitor continuously the externalities of the development from a more comprehensive perspective and to leave room for adjustment to the spatial planning and governance approaches. The analytical framework built upon the institutional concepts of Ostrom and Scharpf worked well in this research, but in the process of conducting the empirical study I found that the framework of institutional analysis I established for the empirical study implied a temporarily fixed situation for analysis. Such a framework did create an easier situation for analysis, but proved difficult to use to investigate and explain the dynamic interrelationships between the changing institutional contexts and the decision making of high-tech spatial planning at a specific place and time. While considering this limitation, I adopted a diachronic approach to complement the empirical study of part three, in order to understand the influences of prior institutional developments and specific episodes on later policy/decision making and action taking. In the future, if other studies consider applying the frameworks of this research, the effect of historical path dependency has to be taken into consideration

Development of a Multi-Region Input-Output Database for Policy Applications

Countries face different problems depending on factors such as geographical position, climate, wealth, political regime, and natural resources. Given this diversity, it is important that economic, social, and environmental assessments utilise regionally detailed and comprehensive information. However, when examining a particular type of assessment, studies (in most cases) are usually conducted without any regional or sectoral specificity due to the difficulty of creating an inter-regional modelling framework at sub-national levels. A fundamental tool for identifying specific economic characteristics of regions (either global or within a nation) is a multi-region input-output (MRIO) system. Through the understanding of regional economic distribution, sectoral contribution, and inter-regional supply chain network, input-output (I-O) based assessments are capable of providing a comprehensive picture of regional economic structures. However, the creation of an MRIO system is a time-consuming task that requires skill in handling the complexity of data compilation and reconciliation. To this end, finding an alternative method for creating an MRIO database in the most efficient way is necessary. In this thesis, I developed new MRIO databases that utilised virtual laboratory technology: IndoLab, TaiwanLab, SwedenLab, and USLab , and also took part in developing the JapanLab. I then demonstrated the use of these new facilities for addressing research questions surrounding employment multipliers in Indonesia, economic impacts due to natural disasters in Taiwan, regional consumer emissions in Sweden, and the responsibility for food loss in Japan. In addition, I presented the application of a new dataset in the global MRIO database for assessing the carbon footprints of global tourism sectors

Transnational knowledge dissemination and recontextualisation : The development of British educational foundation disciplines in Taiwan, 1968-2013

The aim of this research is to discuss the issue of transnational knowledge flow, with special reference to the transmission and transfer of studies, doctrines and ideas of British educational foundation disciplines into post-1970s Taiwan. These disciplines are philosophy of education, history of education and sociology of education. The key question is how and why it was that British educational foundation disciplines were introduced into Taiwan largely and widely from the 1970s. By analysing official documents and publications and interviewees’ testimonies, some research findings are explored. First, Taiwan’s National Scholarship Programme for Overseas Study played an important role to improve the knowledge borrowing and employing of British philosophies of education and sociologies of education into post-1970s Taiwan, while it did not have the same influence on the history of education. Second, Taiwan government lasted to support this scholarship for postgraduates to study overseas in educational foundation disciplines from the mid-1970s to the 1980s, while these grantees eventually changed to other educational subjects. After this period, more and more educationalists attained their doctorates on foundation disciplines in the UK since the 1990s, which produced the intensive academic exchange again between British and Taiwanese educationalists. Third, for Taiwanese educational philosophers, British Analytic Philosophy had its significant influence on the development of Taiwan studies of philosophy of education over these past forty years. For Taiwanese educational historians, they always had interests in some issues British educational historians were concerning. For Taiwanese educational sociologists, they attempted to recontextualise British educational sociologists’ theories and perspectives into Taiwanese educational settings, including research and practices. Fourth, on the process of the dissemination and transfer of British educational foundation studies into post-1970s Taiwan, Taiwanese educationalists criticised and reflected on this trend that borrowing and employing Western educational ideas into Taiwanese context is a suitable way or not

Selected Papers from IEEE ICASI 2019

The 5th IEEE International Conference on Applied System Innovation 2019 (IEEE ICASI 2019, https://2019.icasi-conf.net/), which was held in Fukuoka, Japan, on 11–15 April, 2019, provided a unified communication platform for a wide range of topics. This Special Issue entitled “Selected Papers from IEEE ICASI 2019” collected nine excellent papers presented on the applied sciences topic during the conference. Mechanical engineering and design innovations are academic and practical engineering fields that involve systematic technological materialization through scientific principles and engineering designs. Technological innovation by mechanical engineering includes information technology (IT)-based intelligent mechanical systems, mechanics and design innovations, and applied materials in nanoscience and nanotechnology. These new technologies that implant intelligence in machine systems represent an interdisciplinary area that combines conventional mechanical technology and new IT. The main goal of this Special Issue is to provide new scientific knowledge relevant to IT-based intelligent mechanical systems, mechanics and design innovations, and applied materials in nanoscience and nanotechnology

Análise de fatores críticos à implantação de parques científicos: um estudo de caso

Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia e Gestão do Conhecimento, Florianópolis, 2015.O objetivo deste estudo é identificar fatores críticos à implantação de Parques Científicos e Tecnológicos (PCTs). Mesmo havendo um número crescente de PCTs em implantação no Brasil e no exterior, ainda existe lacuna na literatura sobre esse processo. Entende-se que, para que a implantação seja bem-sucedida, é necessário conhecer e gerenciar os fatores críticos envolvidos. Assim, com o intuito de identificar os fatores críticos de sucesso para a implantação de parques científicos, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática de literatura na base de dados Scopus, dos estudos relacionados ao tema publicados entre os anos de 2009 e 2015. Em paralelo, foi realizado um estudo de caso por meio de análise documental, que garantiu fidelidade de dados e ofereceu condições de inventariar as atividades e projetos desenvolvidos pelo PCT estudado. Também possibilitou mapear as ações planejadas em conjunto com as esferas pública e privada e, por fim, a análise do faturamento do Parque em implantação. Os resultados do estudo de caso demonstraram que a falta de um modelo conceitual e de diretrizes estabelecidas fragiliza o desenvolvimento de projetos e atividades oferecidas pelo parque, refletindo-se no seu papel estratégico. Na pesquisa de campo com os gestores do parque, foi possível identificar o entendimento desses atores quanto aos fatores críticos de sucesso. Os dados obtidos foram analisados por meio da triangulação entre métodos de pesquisa, em que a pesquisadora verificou os dados de maneira a proporcionar a sua compreensão para utilizá-los como subsídios na proposição de um modelo de framework conceitual para implantação de Parque Científico e Tecnológico.Abstract : The objective of this study is to identify factors critical to the implementation of Science and Technology Parks (PCTs). Even with a growing number of PCTs under implementation in Brazil and abroad, there is still shortage of studies on this process. It is understood that in order for the implementation to be successful, it is necessary to know and manage the critical factors involved. Thus, with the objective to identify critical success factors for implementing science parks, the study carried out a systematic review of literature on the Scopus database, the studies related to the subject published between 2009 and 2015. In parallel, a case study was conducted through document analysis, which ensured data fidelity and conditions offered to inventory the activities and projects developed by the PCT studied. It was possible to map the actions planned in conjunction with the public and private sector, and finally, the financial analysis of the Park under implementation. The case study results showed that the lack of a conceptual framework and established guidelines weakens the development of projects and activities offered by the park, reflected in its strategic role. In the field research with the managers of the park, it was possible to identify the understanding of these actors as the critical success factors. Data were analyzed using triangulation between research methods, in which the researcher found the data so as to provide their understanding, to use them as subsidies in proposing a conceptual framework model for Scientific and Technological Park deployment

An annotated checklist of the elasmobranches of the South China Sea, with some global statistics on elasmobranch biodiversity, and an offer to taxonomists

An annotated checklist of the sharks and rays of the South China Sea is described, together with some global statistics on the status and use of elasmobranchs. For each of the 156 recorded species, the checklist contains scientific names, synonyms, common names, global distribution, distribution in the area, status of threat, human uses, key references on taxonomy, identification, reproduction, population dynamics, and a list of people who have contributed information. The checklist is a direct printout from FishBase, a global database on finfish, developed at ICLARM in collaboration with FAO, the California Academy of Sciences, and many other partners, and supported by the European Commission (see www.fishbase.org). The goal of FishBase is to further the conservation and sustainable use of fish by bringing together the knowledge of taxonomists, fisheries experts, and conservationists, providing tools for analysing and updating this knowledge, and making it available to concerned people. How a closer link between FishBase, taxonomists and country experts can benefit the specialists, as well as elasmobranch conservation, is discusse

Dealing with Taiwan

The de facto politically independent Taiwan is coming under increas­ing pressure from the People's Republic of China (PRC) and its claim to reunification. In addition to militarily threatening gestures, Beijing is employing economic and political means as well as cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. This threatens the stability and status quo in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is of immense importance to East Asia's geopolitical dynamics: geo-strategically as part of the first island chain that restricts the PRC’s access to the Pacific, and economically-technologically as a leading manufacturer of semiconductors. In the global systemic conflict between liberal-democratic and authoritarian political systems, Taiwan holds a prominent position as a consolidated, pluralistic democracy and political counter-model to the authoritarian system of the PRC. It is in the interest of Germany and Europe that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are preserved, to make better use of Taiwan's economic and technological potential and to extend value-based support for its free and democratic society. Germany is committed to a one-China policy, which rules out any diplo­matic recognition of Taiwan. Nevertheless, there is scope to expand and intensify relations below this threshold and thus counter China's policy of intimidating and isolating Taiwan. The Taiwan policies of the United States, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, India as well as European partner countries show that there is room for pursuing closer relations with Taiwan while at the same time adhering to a one-China policy. Thus, options for action exist in foreign and security policy, trade and economic policy, as well as cultural policy