Technology and global competition

This study deals with the role of technology in the worldwide restructuring of industrial manufacturing and trade. It is based, at least to some degree, on the rich and often quite spirited debates which took place during a high-level expert group meeting that one of the authors convened for the OECD Development Centre'. The purpose of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of how new technologies influence the international distribution of competitive advantages, and what this implies for strategies of latecomer industrialisation, pursued in a number of newly industrialising economies (NIES). In addition the study addresses some emerging issues related to international trade and investment an the industrial and trade policy agenda of the 1990s.

Apart from presenting a "state-of-the-art" review of what we know about this compl issue, the study will also suggest some priority areas for future research and make a fe policy recommendations. In particular, an attempt will be made to assess how the abc basic transformations affect industrial and trade policy options in NIEs, and what this imp for economic rivalries and industrial co-operation between OECD Member countries NIES.