Technological Maturity and Development without Research

The Challenge for Malaysian Manufacturing

Bibliographic Data

ID4744236
AuthorsSuresh Narayanan (0000-0003-2558-9811, Universiti Sains Malaysia), Lai Yew Wah (Universiti Sains Malaysia)
Year2000
Volume31
Issue2
Pages435-457
Publication date2000-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDevelopment and Change (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0012-155X • E-ISSN: 1467-7660
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/1467-7660.00161
OpenAlexW2026324303
LanguageEN
Citations received6

Propelled largely by direct investment via multinationals, Malaysia's manufacturing sector has grown rapidly and is changing its output-mix. In 1992, the share of high-tech products in Malaysian manufacturing exceeded that of Japan, Korea or Taiwan. However, this 'maturity' was acquired without a strong research base. This article provides a framework which looks at the role of research and development (R&D) in conferring technological maturity and assesses the progress Malaysian manufacturing has made in this regard. The authors find that while multinationals have transferred many aspects of production, they have been slow in transferring R&D expertise. Neither has indigenous innovation filled this gap. Consequently, the long-term sustainability of the industrial transformation process in Malaysia is in jeopardy. The article concludes with suggestions for corrective policies

Business · Economics · Indigenous · Industrial organization · International economics · Investment (military) · Manufacturing sector · Maturity (psychological) · Political science · Production (economics) · Sustainability · Technological change · Asian Industrial and Economic Development · Global trade and economics

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