Introduction Manufacturing in a global context

Abstract

When the South-east Asian ‘tiger’ states entered the international economic arena two decades ago, there was a fundamental change to the global manufacturing footprint of whole industries: western manufacturers were challenged by fierce competitors who had created favorable cost structures and who were both eager and able to learn quickly. As a result, European hi-fi and motorcycle manufacturers — to name only two examples — were almost completely squeezed out of the market. The rules of global competition are shifting once again, with the entrance of Central and Eastern Europe, China, and India into the global economy. The impact will be much broader this time, rippling through more industries and putting greater pressure on many more companies.