The De-industrialization of Taiwan: A Spatial Perspective
Abstract
Over the period 1986 to 2001 some 235,000 manufacturing jobs were lost in Taiwan. As such the Taiwanese economy met the classical definition of de-industrialization. However, when data derived from the successive Industrial and Commercial Census mapped for all 318 cities and townships (hsiang and chen) a more varied and positive view of the structural changes in manufacturing in Tiwan emerges. For example, 18.24 percent of the areal units had experienced no declines in manufacturing employment as late as 1996; similarly, 14.46 percent of all units reported net gains in employment through 1996. In addition, 81.33 percent of all areal units experienced increases in both average salaries in manufacturing and in value added. It appears then that industrial restructuring rather then de-industrialization is a better perspective through which Taiwan's most recent economic challenges should be viewed. This evaluation is corroborated by changing patterns of Taiwanese exports. Future research on changing patterns of regional specialization in Taiwanese manufacturing sector will further our understanding of the restructuring process.References
Baum, J. (1995) Economic monitor: Taiwan, collateral damage. Far Eastern Economic Review, 159: 1, Dec, 28, 1995 and Jan. 4, 1996,118.
Baum, J. (1998) One Big Headache. Far Eastern Economic Review, 161:2, Jan.8, 73-4.
Biers, D. (2001) Taking the fight to the enemy. Far Eastern Economic Review, 64: 12, Mar.29, 52-4.
Bradsher, K. (2004) After an exodus of jobs, a recovery in Taiwan. the New York Times, 19 March, W1,W7.
Brown, C., and Sheriff, T. (1979) De-industrialization: A background paper. In Blackaby, E (ed.) De-industrialization. London: Heineman Educational Books, pp. 233-62.
Cairncross, A. (I979) What is de-industrialization? In Blackaby, F (ed.) De-industrialization. London: Heinemann Educational Books, pp. 5-17.
Chang, C. (1972). National Atlas of China. Volume 1. Taiwan, 4th edition. Taipei: National War College.
Chang, C. (I 988) Everyone wants to be the "Boss." Free China Review, 38: 11, 10-12.
Chang, C. (1993) Local investors set sights on Central America. Taipei Journal, Sept. 10, 3.
Chang J. (1999) Venture capitalists find gold in Silicon Valley. Free China Journal, Sept. 3, 7.
Chen, H. (1994) Taiwan:" economic relations with South East Asia. In Klintworth, G. (ed.), Taiwan in the Asia-Pacific in the 1990s, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia: Allen and Unwin, pp. 121-33.
Chen, S. (2000) Slow flows, Far Eastern Economic Review, 163: 9, Mar 2, 54.
Chen, X. (2005) As Borders Bend Transnational Spaces on the Pacific Rim. New York: Rowman and Littlefield Publsihers, Inc.
Cheng, J. (1997) Bayer planning large-scale factory. Free China Journal, Nov. 28, 8.
Cheng, J. (1998a) Acer calls off German investment on concerns over the economy Taipei Journal, Sept. 15, 8.
Cheng, J. 1998b) Fate of industrial zone uncertain. Free China journal, June 19,3.
Cheng, J. (1998c) FPG opens major industrial park. Free China journal, July 3 J , 3.
Cheng, J. (l998d) Ford to open parts and training hub. Free China journal, Aug. 17,3.
Cheng, J. (1998e) More workers choose to be self-sufficient. Free China journal, Jan. 16,8.
Cheng, T. and Liao, Y. (J 998) Taiwan in 1998: An embattled government in search of a new opportunities. Asian Survey, 38: 52-63.
Chi, S.C., and Tsai, C.L. (1990) 'The ROC's manufacturing industries: A blue-print for structure change. Industry of Free China, 73: 17-32.
Chiu, Y. (2000a) Action urged in uncertain job market. Taipei Journal, Nov. 24, 7.
Chiu, Y. (2000b) Jobless numbers a bad sign. Taipei Journal, Nov. 3,3.
Chiu, Y. (2000c) Statues aims to reform industry. Taipei Journal, 7 Jan., 3.
Chiu, Y. (2001) Restructuring starting to hit labor. Taipei Journal, Mar.30, 3.
Chou, W: (2002) Sun sets on centuries-old salt industry. Taipei Journal, June 7, 3.
Clark, C. (1994) Trends in Taiwan: An economic perspective. Issues and Studies, 30: 23-52.
Courtenay, P. (1993) Taiwan's Hsinchu science-based industrial park. Geography, 78: 442-5.
Courtenay, P. (1999) Going sOllth less attractive as ROC investment policy. Taipei Journal, Jan. 15,6.
Courtenay, P. (2003) Taiwan's competitiveness robust. Taiwan Journal, 17 Oct., 6.
Dean, J. (2003) BenQ builds a brand. Far Eastern Economic Review, 166:42, 23 Oct., 38-40, 42.
Dicken, P. (1986) Global Shift. Industrial Change in a Turbulent World. New York: Harper and Row.
Dicken, P. (I 992) Global Shift. Internationalization of Economic Activity, 2nd ed. New York: Guildford Press.
Diesenhouse, S. (2003) To save factories, owners diversity. New York Times, 30 Nov., Business section, 5.
Direction of Trade Yearbook (Various Years) Washington: International Monetary Fund.
Domes, J. (1992) Taiwan in 1991: Searching for a political consensus. Asian Survey, 32:1,42-9.
Doyle, R. (2002) Deindustrialization (sic)-Why industry continues to decline. Scientific American, 286:5, 30.
Dreyer, J. (1990) Taiwan in 1989: Democratization and economic growth. Asian Survey 30: 1, 52 -8.
Dreyer, J. (1991) Taiwan in 1990: Fine-tuning the system. Asian Survey, 31: 57-63.
Economist (2001) World emerging-market indicators, Sept. 15, 98.
Economist, (2003a) 1he misery of manufacturing. Sept. 27, 61-2.
Economist, (2003b) Sucking sound from the East. July 26,35-6.
Economist, (2004) (Still) made in Japan. April 10,57-9.
Far Eastern Economic Review (1997) Taiwan. Shorter work week, 160: 35, Aug. 28,
Far Eastern Economic Review (1998) Business briefing: Taiwan. Bayer of Germany, 161:14, Apr. 2, 54.
Fare, R. Grosskoft, S., and Lee W. (1995) Productivity in Taiwan manufacturing industries. Applied Economics, 27, 259-65.
Free China journal (1991) Youths motivated for service jobs. May 6, 3.
Free China journal (1994) CEPD feels labor costs still competitive. June 24, 3.
Free China journal (1996) Production drain to the mainland. Oct. 18, 3.
Fuchs, R., and Street, J. (1982) Population distribution and land use conflicts in Taiwan: Spatial and environmental conflicts and tradeoffs. In Ahmad, L and Jahl, J. (eds.) Geography and the Third World. Kuala Lumpur: Pernerbit University Kebangsaan Malaysia, pp. 87-102.
Gao, P. (2001) Adjusting foreign labor's role. Taipei Review, 51: 14-21.
Gold,TB. (1991) Taiwan: In search of identity. In Goldstein, S.M. (ed.) MiniDragons: Fragile Economic Miracles in the Pacific. Boulder: Westview Press, pp. 22-47.
Harmsen, P. (1995) A Matter of Time, Far Eastern Economic Review 158:49, Dec. 7,71.
Her, K. (1996) Jobless rate reaches 8-year high. Free Chill a Journal, Jan. 26, 8.
Her, K. (1997a) Labor woes stem from factory shutdowns. Free China journal, Jan. 4,3.
Her, K. (l997b) Work force drags as closures increase. Free Chintl journal, jan.10., 3.
Her, K. (2002) At the fiber of textiles. Taipei Rel'iew, 52: 1, 12-7.
Hsueh, L. (1990) Restructuring the SME. Free China Reuiew, 40,5: 62-5.
Hu, M, and Schive, C. (1996) Market shares of small and medium scale enterprises in Taiwan manufacturing. Asian Economic Journal, 10: 1 17-31.
Hwang, J. (2002) Structural reengineering. Taipei Review, 52:7, 4-11.
Industrial and Commercial Census of Taiwan (various years) Taipei: Directorate General of Budgeting, Accounting, and Statistics, Executive Yuan.
Kuo, T. (1985) Four million workers sign up for labor insurance policies. Free China Journal, Nov. 10-17,4.
Landler, M. (2001) From Taiwan, a fear of China technology. New York Times, Oct. 3, Cl.C7.
Lawrence, S. V, and Dean, J. (2003) A new threat. Far Eastern Economic Review, 166:20, 16-8, 20.
Lee, A. (2002) Foreign worker quotas hitched to diplomacy. Taipei journal, Apr. 26,2.
Li, F. (2001) Pai Lung excels in knitting machines. Taipei Journal, April 20, 8.
Li, F. (2002a) Chen rekindles southward investment policy. Taipei journal, Sept. 6, 3.
Li, F. (2002b) "Going South" to Vietnam pays off for investors. Taipei Journal, Nov. 15,3.
Li, F. (2003a) Asahi to invest US$109.83 million to produce ultra-large glass substrates. Taiwan Journal, July 4, 3.
Li, F. (2003b) New NT$1 trillion industrial plant unveiled. Taiwan Journal, Aug. 29,3.
Li, F. (2003c) Taiwan's economy number five in growth competitiveness. Taiwan Journal, 14 Nov.,3.
Li, F. (2003d) Taiwan's investment climate gets high marks. Taiwan Journal, 5 Sept.,3.
Li, F. (2003e) Tingpu Science and Technology Park announces winning investment plans. Taiwan Journal, 2 May, 3.
Li, F. (2004) Auto giants turn to Taiwan for parts. Taiwan Journal, 12 March, 3.
Liang, K. (1993) The evolution of Taiwan's economy in the emerging Asia-Pacific Century. Industry of Free China, 80:3,33-48.
Lin, J.C. H. (I 965) A study of water resources for industrial use in Taiwan. Bank of Taiwan Quarterly, 16:4, 1995. (In Chinese.)
Lin, J. (2001) Hsinying plant closure follows sugar industry restructuring in Taiwan. Taipei journal, Mar.30, 4.
Lin, P (1993) International Competitiveness of Manufacturing Industries in Taiwan. Industry of Free China, 79:2, 45-54.
Liu, P K.c., Liu Y, and Wu, H. (1990) New technologies, industry, and trade- Thee Taiwan experience. Economic Review, 254, March-April, 8-24.
Lu, M. (2002) High-tech textiles coming into fashion. Taipei Journal, Oct.18, 8.
Lu, M. (2004) Paper mills diversify to keep from folding. Taiwan Journal, June 4, 8.
Mehta, M. (2004) Made in Taiwan or not, products made by Taiwanese still appreciated for high quality. Taiwan Journal, July 2, 7.
Mehta, M. (2006) Textile makers win with high-end products. Taiwan Journal, March 3,7.
Morrison, J .L, et al. (1967) Basic measures of manufacturing in the United States, 1958. Economic Geography, 44:4, 296-311.
Pocket World in Figures (Various years) London: The Economist.
Pun, A. (1994) Small firms fuel economic engine. Free China journal, 24 Sept., 3.
Rowthorn, R., and Ramaswamy, R. (1997) De-industrialization- Its causes and implications. Economic Issues, 10. Washington: International Monetary Fund.
Selya, R. (1974) the Industrialization of Taiwan. Some Geographic Considerations. Jerusalem: Jerusalem Academic Press.
Selya, R. (1982) Contrasting measures of changing industrial distribution in Taiwan. Asian Geographer, 1 :2,35-50.
Selya, R. (1994) Taiwan as a service economy. Geoforum, 25:3, 305-22.
Shen, D. (1993) Petrochemical makers fear shortage of supplies. Free China journal, Apr. 20, 3.
Shen, D. (1996a) Hewlett-Packard picks Taiwan as IC Center. Free China journal, Jan. 26, 8.
Shen, D. (1996b) Two global investment publications place Taiwan on their low-risk lists. Free China journal, Jan. 12, 3.
Shen, D. (1997) Competitiveness ranked 223rd worldwide. Free China Journal, May 23,3.
Shen, D. (1999a) International ban on chemical exports could jeopardize businesses in Taiwan. Taipei Journal, May 14, 3.
Shen, D. (1999b) Premier tells state-run firms to dear debts or shut down. Taipei Journal, Mar. 19,8.
Shen, S., and Liu, M. (2002) Knowledge-based economy and information technology: The Taiwan experience. In Yue, C. S., and Lim, J . I. (eds.) Information Technology in Asia. New Development Pamdigms. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, pp. 269-94.
Shen, S., and Liu, M. (2003) 'Taiwan's transition from an industrializing economy to a knowledge based economy. In Masuyama, S., and Vandenbrink, D. (eds.) Toward a Knowledge based Economy. East Asia’s Changing Industrial Geography. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, pp. 83-111.
Sheng, V (1998) Premier's trip affirms 'go south' investment policy. Free China Journal, Jan. 16, 1.
Smaglik, P. 2007. Making it big in Taiwan. Nature 446; 7136, April 5,696-7, plus 26 page supplement.
Smith, H. (1998) Determinants of manufacturing protection in Taiwan. The Developing Economies, 36:3, 305-31.
Sun, C. (1999) Toward a knowledge-based economy: Taiwan's experience in developing science and technology based industries. Industry of Free China, 89:3,93-110.
Taipei journal (2000) Textile loss, Aug. 25, 3.
Taiwan Statistical Data Book (Various years) Taipei: Council for Economic Planning and Development.
Thirwall A.P (1982) Deindustrialization in the United Kingdom. Lloyd; Bank Review 144, 22-37.
Tsai, H. (1984) Rural industrialization in Taiwan. Industry of Free China, 61 :5,15- 28; 61:6, 21-32, 62:1, 11-30.
Tseng, O. (1988) Restructuring the business sector. Free China Review, 28:11,4-5.
Tung, C. (1997) Deindustrialization and the decline of the labor movement in Taiwan. Industry of Free Chintz, 87:2,49-70.
Wang, E.H.H. (2003) Technopolis development in Taiwan: An information technology capabilities-enhancing approach. In Jussawalla, M., and 'Taylor, R.D. (eds.) Information technology Parks of the Asia Pacific. Lessons for the Regional Digital Divide. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe, Inc., 193-226.
Wu, R.-l, and Cheng, C. (2002) Going Up. Taipei Review, 52:6, 30-5.
Wu, Y. (1995) 'Taiwan, 1994. Managing a critical relationship. Asian Survey, 35: 1, 61-9.
Yu, T. (1995) Industrial development policy of China on Taiwan: Review and evaluation, Industry of Free China, 83:6, 49-60.
Zi, K. (1991) Project sees Taiwan as becoming 'technology island.' the Free China Journal, 15 Aug., 8.
- The contributor(s) (authors) warrant that the entire work is original and unpublished; it is submitted only to this Journal and all text, data, figures/tables or other illustrations included in this work are completely original and unpublished, and these have not been previously published or submitted elsewhere in any form or media whatsoever.
- The contributor(s) warrant that the work contains no unlawful or libelous statements and opinions and liable materials of any kind whatsoever, does not infringe on any copyrights, intellectual property rights, personal rights or rights of any kind of others, nor contains any plagiarized, fraudulent, improperly attributed materials, instructions, procedures, information or ideas that might cause any harm, damage, injury, losses or costs of any kind to person or property.
- The contributor(s) retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- The contributor(s) are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- The contributor(s) are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
- Geography Research Forum may disseminate the content of the publications and publications’ Meta data in text, image, or other print and electronic formats to providers of research databases (e.g. EBSCO, GeoBase, JSTOR) to facilitate publications' exposure.
