The Positive Sum Strategy Harnessing Technology for Economic Growth (1986) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Technology and Trade: A Study of U.S. Competitiveness in Seven Industries
Technology and Trade: A Study of U.S. Competitiveness in Seven Industries
Pages 479-500
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 479... ...
industries are finding that they must compete internationally to survive. Despite Ike emerging competitive situation, international trade and relanonships with other economies simply are not yet accorded the same importance in the United States as in Japan and Western Europe.
|
From page 480... ...
undertook what turned out to be a series of studies that examined central issues relating to technical and international economic and trade issues.~ - The studies were conducted by a committee, established in cooperation win the National Research Council, of experts from industry, academia, labor and government scientists, engineers, economists, business and financial experts, labor representatives, and government specialists. The first major study of the committee was a broad examination of the relationship among technology, trade, and U.S.
|
From page 481... ...
The study program was designed to identify global shifts in production and in trade, to relate shifts in international comparative industrial advantage to technological and other factors, and to assess the probable impact of public policy options on He rate and nature of technological change and on the international competitiveness of the U.S. industry.
|
From page 482... ...
Despite the popular image of Japanese superiority in advanced technology, Me Japanese advantage was found to lie rather in managementmanagement of technology, of operations, and of the work force and in culture attitudes toward work and bow individual and corporate responsibility. Over major factors Mat contributed to Me Japanese advantage were Me reliability of parts suppliers' delivery schedules, elimination of downtime, drastic reduction of setup and rework time, and a job structure and workplace environment that placed responsibility for quality and output on the workers.
|
From page 483... ...
In semiconductors, the United States retains a lead but is under serious challenge by the Japanese. Japanese trade and investment barriers severely restrict imports, but U.S.
|
From page 484... ...
Any consideration of possible steps to strengthen the competitive position of the U.S. electronics industry should address four issues: long-range research, capital formation, human resources, and international trade policies.
|
From page 485... ...
Any attempt to revitalize the industry must balance a number of complex and often contradictory factors: determining the minimum domestic capacity needed for national security, achieving the inevitable restructuring while protecting the interests of affected workers and communities, providing U.S. consumers with access to the lowest-cost steel available worldwide, ensuring free and fair global trade in steel, and recognizing the aspirations of developing counties.
|
From page 486... ...
Each of the three segments of this textile complex fibers and yarn, textiles, and apparel stands in a somewhat different competitive position. Fibers and yarn are produced primarily by large, powerful concerns that are able to finance investment in technology development and new equipment.
|
From page 487... ...
Ike textile complex in the United States faces a shortage of technical workers and managers at all levels in comparison with what is needed to sustain a strong competitive position. The levels of compensation and [united attractiveness of careers in the industry contribute to the problem.
|
From page 488... ...
economy, the level and stability of interest rates, and the development of a coherent export policy. Measures aimed more directly at supporting exports by small business would be especially useful to the industry, as would increased attention to development of applicable human resource skills and of advanced manufacturing technology.
|
From page 489... ...
Changes in government regulations and in the regulatory climate with respect to R&D, introduction of new therapeutic agents, export of experimental drugs, and acceptance of foreign data could have high leverage on competitive position. The process is at present subject to intense political pressure, requires massive amounts of documentation, and tends to delay clinical trial, even under carefully controlled conditions.
|
From page 490... ...
No other industry plays as crucial a role as aviation in national security, national economic health, and foreign trade. Civil aircraft manufacture provides both the base load for key design and production teams and a huge (15,000 firms)
|
From page 491... ...
For some industries, escalating costs of R&D, combined with burgeoning demands for large quantities of capital to obtain modern facilities, necessitate tapping global markets in order to generate the needed sales volume. For others, decisions regarding capacity expansion and future demand must be made in a global context; otherwise, serious errors either in creatin, overcapacity or in lacking capacity to serve growth—are almost inevitable.
|
From page 492... ...
market, combined with the size and richness of the land mass of the United States, make foreign trade and relations with other countries seem remote and relatively unimportant. The low level of proficiency in foreign languages and the limited knowled~,e of foreign cultures and customs provided by our educational system are an unmistakable indicator of the limited importance attached to international trade.
|
From page 493... ...
This is not to suggest that we should adopt their ways, as Be pluralism of our society and our institutions and a government based on checks and balances have both served us well. Nevertheless, it is imperative for us to scrutinize our own strengths and weaknesses with a realistic eye in the light of both the growing importance of international trade and the strengthened competition we face.
|
From page 494... ...
The shortage applies to specific technical skills in electronics, computers, software, and machine design. Two other broad personnel categories of special importance are people trained ire international business, win direct experience in foreign commerce, and people Pained In sophisticated manufacturing.
|
From page 495... ...
The close tie between technological leadership and financial performance, including the ability to obtain capital, was noted particularly in electronics, pharmaceuticals, machine tools, and textiles. Similarly, the requirement for large, well-funded R&D programs for maintenance of the technological leadership needed to achieve and sustain a strong competitive advantage was evident in the industnes electronics, pharmaceuticals, and aircraft—that are experiencing the most rapid technological progress.
|
From page 496... ...
the need for persistent, visibly high-priority attention to international trade negotiations and the monitoring of the behavior of foreign competitors, including foreign governments (a particularly troublesome problem in aircraft)
|
From page 497... ...
As a corollary, increased public support for education in foreign languages and foreign cultures, as well as more rigorous standards for public literacy in science and technology, are other dimensions of Be change that is needed. Unless the public comes to recognize the vital role that international trade plays in the nation's economic health and in Be competitive viability of our own industries, the sustained support that is required for progress in other areas is unlikely to emerge.
|
From page 498... ...
Certainly Europe and Japan found it possible to take advantage of existing technology and to use that as an important lever for the rapid economic growth Hey experienced and the gains they made relative to us after World War B The-readjustment process seems to have about run its course, and as far as Europe is concerned we may now be in balance.
|
From page 499... ...
Civil Aviation Manufacturing Industry (1985) ; The Competitive Status of the U.S.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.