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Until the late 1990s, the Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation (TTL) focused almost exclusively on serving the domestic market as a highly protected monopoly. This paper describes how the company has adopted a more outward looking strategy since 2000, with ambitions to become a regional, and eventually global, business by 2021. Drawing on company documents and industry sources, the paper argues that this shift in strategy was a direct reaction to the decline in domestic market share following liberalisation of the Taiwanese tobacco market and adoption of tougher domestic tobacco control measures. Market opening occurred as a result of pressure from the U.S. Trade Representative in the 1980s, as well as World Trade Organization membership in 2002. It is argued that TTL’s efforts to globalise operations have been limited by bureaucratic company management and structures, and ongoing political tension between Taiwan and China. However, the relative success of TTL’s alcohol branch, and potential détente as the Taiwanese government reaches out to improve relations with China, may provide TTL with new opportunities to achieve its goal of becoming a regional player with global ambitions. This article is part of the special issue ‘The Emergence of Asian Tobacco Companies: Implications for Global Health Governance.’ [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Extant research has increasingly recognized that local reputation determines creative firms’ competitiveness. However, current research over-emphasizes that the spatial cluster facilitates the innovation dynamic of creative industries rather than investigating whether the trans-local dynamic of trade fairs and competitions underpins the reputation-building process of local creative industries. This paper contributes to exploring the reputation-building process and spatial strategy of creative industries through a case study of product design firms in Taipei. Drawing on a qualitative methodology, this paper analyses 35 in-depth interviews with product design company executives, concluding that the spatial strategy of product design firms situated in the Taipei city context must acknowledge local strategic advantage and increasingly build a reputation through connections to trans-local design fairs and competitions. Meanwhile, the reputation-building process reflects that product design firms must capture and negotiate symbolic value through a strategic co-presence in local, regional, and global temporary event spaces. Finally, the process and strategies imply that the design industry needs a new form of intervention in latecomer cities to respond to the uneven development of the global design economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper addresses the phenomenon of delayed cable digitization in Taiwan and reports the results of a longitudinal analysis, determining that (1) inter-platform competition, primarily from internet protocol television (IPTV), generates a strong and positive impact on the digitization of cable service after it acquires numerous customers; (2) the installed cable base induces economies of scale that increase its digital penetration; (3) the overbuild of the equivalent-size rivalry can increase digital adoption, whereas unequal-sized competition might reversely decrease it; and (4) the monthly flat fee charged to customers does not influence digital adoption. In addition, this paper presents a discussion on the policy instruments derived from econometric results. Although repealing the horizontal integration cap in the cable TV industry could generate economies of scale, doing so may encourage monopolization over several franchises. The efficacy of intra-platform competition is reserved only for certain cases. Combining the results of these analyses reveals that inter-platform competition most effectively stimulates cable operators’ digital conversion. Hence, regulators should create a level playing field among various TV platforms, such as equal programming access and open standards, to ensure a high degree of cable digitization [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The rapid development of information technology and the emergence of the Internet have created a borderless business environment and intensified market competition. Riding on the globalization trend, high-tech companies have been gradually leveraging information technology in order to shorten their manufacturing processes, enhance productivity with lower costs and prompt delivery to meet the customers’ needs. To achieve these targets and maintain competitive advantages, companies have been introducing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and knowledge management (KM). This paper finds, via literature review, that most scholars focus only on the deployment of ERP systems and improvement of flows. Few have introduced the KM concept into ERP systems. This paper collated the literature relevant to ERP and KM and integrates the findings to introduce the ERP KM concept. The most important thing is to establish a detailed introduction plan and a prior understanding of the critical success factors (CSFs) for ERP KM introduction. This paper summarizes the CSFs for ERP KM introduction via literature review and examines the influence of these CSFs on management performance. A questionnaire survey is conducted to collect the relevant data and SPSS 10.0 (statistics software) is run for statistical and multiple regression analyses. Among these CSFs, support from senior managers, corporate vision, reengineering of corporate flows and project management, selection of appropriate consulting firms and software suppliers, the identification of suitable employees to take part in ERP introduction and the proper training and education programs have positive influences on management performance. In the multiple regression analysis, all of the individual constructs are positively and significantly correlated. The explanatory power of individual variables is high. It is hoped that the research finding can serve as a reference for ERP KM introduction to corporations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper uses a binary logit model to investigate the factors that influence subscribers to stay or migrate based on the competitive nature of Taiwan''s mobile phone industry and subscribers'' habit formation regarding service providers. The results show that subscribers'' satisfaction, switching costs, and habit strength negatively influence switching intentions, constituting a sucking effect that motivates subscribers to stay with their original providers. Alternative attractiveness, on the other hand, positively influences switching intentions, comprising a pulling effect that encourages subscribers to migrate to other providers. In spite of the promotional benefits offered by new service providers, Taiwanese mobile phone subscribers generally remain with their original providers. For instance, when subscribers perceive that there are no significant influences between service satisfaction and switching costs associated with different providers, what encourages subscribers to stay with their original providers is habit strength. Oftentimes, it is difficult for subscribers with strong habits to be attracted by promotions offered by alternative service providers. Because the concepts of suck-and-pull effects or habit-and-competition forces are infrequently studied, this paper explores these concepts and attempts to fill the void. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to compare the competitiveness of the economies of Taiwan. and Korea. Design/methodology/approach - The comparison between Taiwan and Korea is based on the average value of the data over five years (2000-2004). It applies a generalized double diamond model approach to analyse the overall competitiveness of these two small open economies. Findings -- Taiwan surpasses Korea in all decisive factors with the exception of the demand condition in the domestic diamond in the years 2000-2004, which is due to Korea's population being more than double Taiwan's. As to the international diamond, Taiwan enjoys comparatively high competitiveness, and its international diamond is better than Korea's in all four parts. Research limitations/implications -- The data sources include: Indicators of Science and Technology, Taiwan, 2004 and 2005, Korean National Statistical Office and related statistical data obtained from various government agencies, including data on factor, demand, firms strategy, structure, and rivalry covering the period from 2000 to 2004, whereas related and supporting industries only covered the years 2000-2003. Originality/value -- This is the first paper to apply a generalized double diamond model approach to analyse and to compare the competitiveness of the economies of both Taiwan and Korea. Its empirical evidences and policy implications is of interest to academicians, government officials, and business managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global Solar Photovoltaic (PV) industry is fast evolving and is heavily affected by the government policies. In this study, it has been attempted to present a detailed comparison of the solar PV industry of five countries (i.e., Taiwan, 1 China, Japan, Germany and USA) in terms of policy, industry and supply chain analyses. Based on a rich description and mapping of PV supply chain, it's found that China is the biggest producer and consumer of PV products and Taiwan is only strong in solar cell production. The double-anti duties make Taiwan overly reliant on China and Taiwan gradually loses its competitive advantage even in cell production. The success of China is explained adopting Porter's national competitiveness perspective based on the supply chain analysis. Finally, some recommendations are provided to improve national competitiveness for Taiwanese solar photovoltaic industry. This paper contributes to the clean production literature by providing a comprehensive mapping of PV industry supply chain, comparing the industry of five countries and making tailored policy recommendations to Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study empirically examines the relationships between internal green practices, external green integration, green performance, and firm competitiveness in the container shipping context. We collect data from a survey of 163 container shipping firms in Taiwan, and apply a structural equation model (SEM) to test the research hypotheses. We confirm that internal green practices and external green collaboration have positive impacts on green performance, which in turn helps to enhance firm competitiveness. The findings show that a firm’s green performance and external green collaboration act as mediator variables between internal green practices and firm competitiveness, and they influence firm competitiveness positively. We also discuss in this paper the managerial implications for container shipping firms to improve their green performance and competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The global high-tech industry is characterized by extreme competitiveness, innovation, and widespread use of English. Consequently, Taiwanese high-tech companies require engineers that are talented in both their engineering and English abilities. In response to the lack of knowledge regarding the English skills needed by engineers in Taiwan’s high-tech sector, this paper presents an English needs analysis of process integration engineers (PIEs) at a leading semiconductor manufacturing company. Based on English skills for engineers and professionals in Asia–Pacific countries, online survey-questionnaires and semi-structured interview questions were developed and administered to PIEs. Results show that engineers face numerous English communicative events similar to other Asia–Pacific nations, including highly frequent writing and reading events such as email, reports, and memos, while common oral events include meetings, teleconferences, and presentations. Findings also indicate that the need for English increases in tandem with the engineer’s career, with oral skills being in particular demand for customer visits and relationship building. Moreover, considering the scope of the communicative events PIEs face, Taiwanese learning institutions, ESP instructors and course designers should endeavor to include authentic training in specific areas such as genre-specific writing (i.e., email vs. reports vs. memos), CMC communication (i.e., telephony and teleconference), and delivering presentations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Higher education is one of the most crucial indicators for national overall competitiveness. But the issue of education equity has remained a concern throughout the world. Many studies in Taiwan show that family income, parents' education level, and place of origin impact children's higher education enrollment opportunities. This paper analyzes the question of education equity during Taiwan's higher education massification process, based on equity from the start, during the process, and in the outcome. The research findings indicate that the education equity issue remains the same in Taiwan as higher education expands. The author further concludes three possible solutions for equity assurance: to enforce positive differential treatment among different social groups to reduce the impact of background inequality, to encourage beneficiaries of higher education, including individuals and businesses, to share educational expenses, and to increase linkage between university and job market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenge of youth unemployment has led to a great demand for youth continuing education in Taiwan. While young people want continuing education to increase their competitiveness, the government also hopes that it will increase youth employment. This paper explores the strategies and trends in youth continuing education in Taiwan. First, it illustrates that there is a strong demand for youth continuing education when individuals face social change and difficulties in career development. Second, it introduces youth continuing education programmes that address these needs, and it explains the different strategies of continuing education. Finally, it summarizes recent trends in youth continuing education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Recently, many companies have recognized the concepts of green supply chain management or supply chain environmental management. However, relatively little research attention has been devoted to the consideration of relations between greening the supply chain, green innovation, environmental performance and competitive advantage. Hence, this paper aims to bridge this gap by providing empirical evidence to encourage companies to implement green supply chain and green innovation in order to improve their environmental performance, and to enhance their competitive advantage in the global market. A model is constructed to link the aforementioned constructs. Data were collected through a questionnaire-based survey across 124 companies from eight industry sectors in Taiwan. The data are analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling and the results from the final measurement model are used to evaluate the structural model that verifies the significance of the proposed relationships. A prominent result of this study is that greening the supplier through green innovation contributes significant benefits to the environmental performance and competitive advantage of the firm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It is important to increase their value by managing intellectual capital (IC), since fabless firms face an intensely competitive environment. The aim of this paper is develops a two-stage production process including IC capability and IC efficiency to characterize the IC performance of the fabless firms using a non-parametric frontier method – data envelopment analysis (DEA). The IC performance rating should be considered as a key element for achieving greater innovation and competitive advantages. The results show that IC efficiency is better than IC capability for these fabless firms; 15.8% of fabless firms perform well in both models and these firms can be treated as benchmarks for others; most firms operate at decreasing returns to scale, indicating that firms are facing a highly competitive environment; further mergers and acquisitions among firms should be considered so as to achieve economies of scale; the critical input/output measures will also help firms improve their performance and identify the key factors that impact a firm’s performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors influencing whether a multinational corporation (IVINC) appoints an expatriate or a local national as the CEO of its subsidiary. Design/methodology/approach -- The study proposes a framework comprising ownership-specific, location-specific and internalization-specific factors to examine determinants of expatriate CEO assignment. MNCs' subsidiaries in Taiwan were selected for the study. Findings - For the effect on the assignment of an expatriated CEO to a subsidiary, the factors of a subsidiary's capability and size, MNC's global strategy and internalization motivation are positive; in contrast, the factor of the host country's locational advantages is negative. In addition, in circumstances of large cultural distances, the effect of high internalization motivation is positive and that of low internalization motivation is negative. Research limitations/implications -- The research does not differentiate between two different types of expatriates and focuses on advanced countries' MNCs' subsidiaries in Taiwan. The theoretical implication of the study lies in the application of the perspectives of resource-based view and transaction cost theory on an MNC's decision concerning the assignment of an expatriated CEO for subsidiaries. Practical implications -- MNCs could make a subsidiary's staffing decision by taking into account ownership-, location-, and internalization-specific factors. Failure to do so will lead to poor operation of the subsidiary. Originality/value -- The research contributes to knowledge about the determinants of expatriate CEO assignment, and illuminates the importance of ownership, location and internalization factors for MNCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Taiwanese retail market is in a highly competitive stage. In the past three decades, the Taiwan retail grocery market has experienced many developments and changes, and recently, has started to realize the importance of developing its own retail brand. Although the idea of retail branding is still new in Taiwan, the major hypermarket players have tried to build up their own brand image and create new own label products which differ from other competitors. This paper explores retail branding in the Taiwan hypermarket industry through macro/micro environment analysis and applying retail branding models to the Taiwanese retail market. The macro/micro environment analysis is undertaken by the two STEPs model and the retail branding model is created from Dawson's three levels model combined with previous studies and theories. The approach in this study involves literature reviews and secondary research in the field of the Taiwanese retail market. The outcome of this study is to highlight key issues that deserve further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Understanding the cost-effectiveness and the role of economic and policy instruments, such as the combined product tax-recycling subsidy scheme or a tradable permit, for scrap tire recycling has been of crucial importance in a market-oriented environmental management system. Promoting product (tire) stewardship on one hand and improving incentive-based recycling policy on the other hand requires a comprehensive analysis of the interfaces and interactions in the nexus of economic impacts, environmental management, environmental valuation, and cost–benefit analysis. This paper presents an assessment of the interfaces and interactions between the implementation of policy instruments and its associated economic evaluation for sustaining a scrap tire recycling program in Taiwan during the era of the strong economic growth of the late 1990s. It begins with an introduction of the management of the co-evolution between technology metrics of scrap tire recycling and organizational changes for meeting the managerial goals island-wide during the 1990s. The database collected and used for such analysis covers 17 major tire recycling firms and 10 major tire manufacturers at that time. With estimates of scrap tire generation and possible scale of subsidy with respect to differing tire recycling technologies applied, economic analysis eventually leads to identify the associated levels of product tax with respect to various sizes of new tires. It particularly demonstrates a broad perspective of how an integrated econometric and engineering economic analysis can be conducted to assist in implementing policy instruments for scrap tire management. Research findings indicate that different subsidy settings for collection, processing, and end use of scrap tires should be configured to ameliorate the overall managerial effectiveness. Removing the existing boundaries between designated service districts could strengthen the competitiveness of scrap tires recycling industry, helping to reduce the required levels of product tax and subsidy. With such initial breakthroughs at hand to handle the complexity of scrap tire recycling technologies, there remains unique management and policy avenues left to explore if a multi-dimensional solution is to be successful in the long run. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper developed an approach based on data envelopment analysis and Malmquist productivity index to investigate the performance of power plants and conducted an empirical study with eight thermal power plants in Taiwan. The analysis resuIts show the productivity improvements, and thus, help Taiwan Power Company to monitor and diagnose changes in the productivity of its thermal power plants. Furthermore, this study also provides specific directions for improvements to increase competitiveness in the face of the continuing liberalization of the Taiwanese power generation market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a paper which outlines how Taiwan attempted to raise its global technology competitiveness. Amount of money allocated to technology development in Taiwan; Examination of models that were tested.