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High-Technology Restructuring in the USA and Japan

Author

Listed:
  • R Florida

    (School of Urban and Public Affairs, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA)

  • M Kenney

    (Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

Abstract

In this paper, the comparative responses of the USA and Japan to the rise of new high-technology industries are examined. The United States pattern mainly revolves around the rise of high-technology districts like Silicon Valley and Route 128 which comprise dense networks of small entrepreneurial firms and other related institutions. Despite its tremendous innovative capabilities, this pattern generates significant costs (that is, high turnover of labor, chronic entrepreneurship, and an emphasis on breakthrough innovations at the expense of manufactured products) which are not sufficiently recognized by proponents of the flexible specialization or ‘simple flexibility’ thesis. The Japanese approach to restructuring is contrasted as one of ‘structured flexibility’ where large corporations perform important ‘system governance’ functions in the linking of manufacturing and innovation and act as focal points in just-in-time production complexes. Japan's pattern of ‘structured flexibility’ overcomes many of the limitations of high-technology organization in the USA.

Suggested Citation

  • R Florida & M Kenney, 1990. "High-Technology Restructuring in the USA and Japan," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 22(2), pages 233-252, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:22:y:1990:i:2:p:233-252
    DOI: 10.1068/a220233
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Epicoco, Marianna, 2013. "Knowledge patterns and sources of leadership: Mapping the semiconductor miniaturization trajectory," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(1), pages 180-195.
    2. James Simmie, 2005. "Critical surveys edited by Stephen Roper innovation and space: A critical review of the literature," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(6), pages 789-804.
    3. Lehrer, Mark & Banerjee, Preeta M. & Wang, I. Kim, 2017. "When the sky is the limit on scale: From temporal to multiplicative scaling in process-based technologies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 151-159.

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