National embeddedness of economic activities: Industrial and technology policy in Korea and Taiwan

Summary

This paper adopts an embeddedness perspective and discusses rationales for government intervention in relation to economic development. Looking at East Asian experiences with industrial and technology policy the paper examines the general requirements, specific areas of focus and appropriate techniques for industrial and technology policy. Eight generic policy requirements are identified, viz. government capacity; monitoring and adjustment; policy sequencing; incremental upgrading; progressive market reliance; performance‐orientation; selectivity; and flexibility.

Key words:

• national embeddedness
• industrial and technology policy
• national innovation systems
• technological capabilities
• Korea
• Taiwan.