Comparative evaluation of industrial/technological competitiveness in Japan, the USA, Europe, and Asia

Summary form only given. The concept of industrial competitiveness, which emerged in the 1980s in America, has now become a critical issue for Japan. An intensive comparative survey on the industrial competitiveness of Japan, the USA, Europe, and Asia, was carried out in 1999 and 2000, and it made clear the nations' comparative strength and weakness. The survey covers 290 items of industrial technologies categorized in 14 fields from materials, devices, system engineering, to production technology and management technology. The survey results revealed that Japan is very strong in consumer electronics appliances and still keeps its strength in new materials and devices as well as production technology. On the other hand, however, it is weak in biotechnology, software development, communication systems, and medical engineering as well as in corporate management of technology and human resources. The average technological potential of Japan is however not so lower than that of the United States, and it is still higher than Europe and much higher than Asian countries. The survey result implies that management of technology (MOT) is one of the key factors for Japan to recover its international competitiveness. To improve the management quality, the paradigm of innovation management needs shifting from the catch-up style to the front-runner style.