The Politics of Innovation: High Technology Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Japan

Japan has often been described as a “network society.” Business networks are said to succeed as alternatives to markets and hierarchies through fostering cooperation and competition among members. Interpretations of existing business networks in Japan share two main characteristics. First, studies have focused on networks between the central state and big business. Second, existing theories fail to examine underlying power asymmetries in business networks. These power asymmetries have been masked by assumptions of “trusting” relations between large firms and small. In essence, in Japan most networks are in fact hierarchies.Contrary to existing interpretations, the most innovative business networks have been those formed by small and medium size firms, independent from both big business and the central state. These networks have been most successful while serving as “enabling institutions” for firms in which local governments play a supportive role.The paper begins by reviewing sources of network formation. Second, I show that emerging network forms are proving to be an important alternative to hierarchy in Japan. I examine three local business networks: Kyoto’s “Kiseiren,” Osaka’s “TOPS Higashi Osaka,” and Tokyo’s “O-net.” The most successful networks, measured in terms of new product creation and increased sales, are those formed on the initiative of firms, independently of the state and big business. Local governments play an informal, supporting role in these successful networks

The Politics of Innovation: High Technology Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Japan

Japan has often been described as a “network society.” Business networks are said to succeed as alternatives to markets and hierarchies through fostering cooperation and competition among members. Interpretations of existing business networks in Japan share two main characteristics. First, studies have focused on networks between the central state and big business. Second, existing theories fail to examine underlying power asymmetries in business networks. These power asymmetries have been masked by assumptions of “trusting” relations between large firms and small. In essence, in Japan most networks are in fact hierarchies.Contrary to existing interpretations, the most innovative business networks have been those formed by small and medium size firms, independent from both big business and the central state. These networks have been most successful while serving as “enabling institutions” for firms in which local governments play a supportive role.The paper begins by reviewing sources of network formation. Second, I show that emerging network forms are proving to be an important alternative to hierarchy in Japan. I examine three local business networks: Kyoto’s “Kiseiren,” Osaka’s “TOPS Higashi Osaka,” and Tokyo’s “O-net.” The most successful networks, measured in terms of new product creation and increased sales, are those formed on the initiative of firms, independently of the state and big business. Local governments play an informal, supporting role in these successful networks

Race to the Future: Innovations in Gifted and Enrichment Education in Asia, and Implications for the United States

How are Asian countries preparing children to have skills—including creativity, innovation, and technical capability—to compete in the 21st Century global economy? Countries including China, Korea, Japan and Singapore have begun to integrate education policy and practice into a key component of national innovation strategies: human capital development. Asian countries are developing an emphasis on innovation and creativity at all levels of education, while the United States continues (via No Child Left Behind testing and budget cut-backs) to move away from that model. Developments in China (including Hong Kong and Taiwan), Korea and Singapore are complemented with comparisons to trends in national policy and private sector practice in Japan and the United States. Preliminary findings indicate that while progress has been made towards establishing education practices that enrich student learning, helping children to reach their highest potential in some countries, cultural practices and budgetary constraints have limited reform in others. The paper concludes with a summary of comparative best practices in enrichment education policy and practice and implications for globally competitive national innovation systems.gifted education; GATE; Asia; China; Hong Kong; Japan; Korea; Taiwan; United States; innovation; talent; education policy; science education; enrichment education