Research On Core Competencies Of The Taiwanese Notebook Computer Industry

Global production networks have proliferated as a major organizational innovation in global operations. This transformation signals a new divide in industrial organization, that is geographic dispersion of tangible production. Grounded in the global production network based view, firstly, the dissertation analyzes governance model and mechanisms of global production networks of the Taiwanese notebook computer industry. It explores the value-creating networks and the source of competing advantages. Global network flagships integrate their dispersed supply, knowledge and customer bases into global (& regional) production networks. Industrial value-added activities of the notebook computer locate through the world, and agglomerate in relevant areas. These networks have acted as a catalyst for international knowledge diffusion, providing new opportunities for local capability formation in lower-cost locations. This research analyzes the configuration of intra- and inter-firm relationships and the forms of coordination in production network and knowledge system. After summarizing the formation of linkages between domestic firms and foreign companies 'higher up' in the value-creating networks, it recognizes the types of core competences of Taiwanese notebook computer industry and points out technology competence, process competence and marketing competence are core competencies of the Taiwanese notebook computer industry.The dissertation addresses and verifies the competence types of the Taiwanese notebook computer industry are technology competence, process competence and marketing competence through literatures arrangements, academic deduction, investigation research, and statistic analysis. Then it addresses the issue of empirically measuring competence types by proposing and testing measures of the competence types of the Taiwanese notebook computer industry. Statistic results verify that Taiwanese companies should build technology competence to gain advantages. Statistic results also verify that competences of customers relationship management, manufacture process management, market networks and reputation are factors influencing on elevating of core competencies of the Taiwanese notebook computer industry.The dissertation presents the upgrading path of core competencies of Taiwanese notebook computer industry. This research presents some potential resources and technology upgrading strategies and competing strategies for the Taiwanese notebook computer companies. It suggests that Taiwanese subcontracting enterprises elevate core competencies along four key dimensions, namely introducing new technology and production process, developing highly competitive supply networks, building marketing channels and establishing brand strategies. It also proposes that the opening of the "Three direct links" is the key for the Taiwanese companies to realize global operation.