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Systemic Coordination and Human Capital Development: Knowledge Flows in Malaysia's MNC-Driven Electronics Clusters

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  • Rasiah, Rajah

    (United Nations University, Institute for New Technologies)

Abstract

Using two MNC dominated electronics clusters in Malaysia, this paper examines the development of human capital from two knowledge and skills acquisition modes - formal education and learning by performing - which were dominant in the successful evolution of industrial districts. Ineffective systemic coordination throughout the country from federal institutions has restricted the supply of high tech human capital from formal institutions of education and training. Hence, firms in Penang and Kelang Valley have faced growing demand-supply deficits. Restrictive immigration policies have hampered firms' options of seeking high tech human capital from abroad. Differential systemic coordination at the regional level has produced different levels of network synergies in Penang and Kelang Valley. Stronger systemic coordination and network cohesion has stimulated greater differentiation and division of labor, engendering the movement of tacit and experiential knowledge embodied in human capital to support industrial dynamism in Penang. Weak systemic coordination and network cohesion has confined MNCs to largely truncated operations without significant levels of differentiation and division of labor in the Kelang Valley

Suggested Citation

  • Rasiah, Rajah, 2002. "Systemic Coordination and Human Capital Development: Knowledge Flows in Malaysia's MNC-Driven Electronics Clusters," UNU-INTECH Discussion Paper Series 2002-07, United Nations University - INTECH.
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unuint:200207
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    File URL: https://www.merit.unu.edu/publications/discussion-papers/2002-7.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rasiah, Rajah, 1994. "Flexible Production Systems and Local Machine-Tool Subcontracting: Electronics Components Transnationals in Malaysia," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 18(3), pages 279-298, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ivarsson, Inge & Alvstam, Claes Goran, 2005. "Technology transfer from TNCs to local suppliers in developing countries: A study of AB Volvo's truck and bus plants in Brazil, China, India, and Mexico," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 33(8), pages 1325-1344, August.
    2. Grunsven Leo van & Witte Inge, 2012. "Emergence through branching and evolution: The automation industry in Penang, Malaysia," ZFW – Advances in Economic Geography, De Gruyter, vol. 56(1-2), pages 168-184, October.
    3. Rajah Rasiah & Shujaat Mubarik & Xiao-Shan Yap, 2017. "Financing Technological Upgrading in East Asia," Lahore Journal of Economics, Department of Economics, The Lahore School of Economics, vol. 22(Special E), pages 153-182, September.
    4. Nabeshima, Kaoru & Ito, Tadashi & Tanaka, Kiyoyasu & Kashcheeva, Mila & Bullon, David & Sanchez, Natalia, 2015. "The source of sustainable growth in Costa Rica," IDE Discussion Papers 500, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization(JETRO).
    5. Roberto Antonietti & Jasmine Mondolo, 2018. "Does inward FDI influence the quality of domestic institutions? A cross-country panel analysis," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 1842, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Dec 2018.
    6. Josh Lepawsky, 2009. "Clustering as Anti-politics Machine? Situating the Politics of Regional Economic Development and Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(3), pages 463-478.
    7. Chandran V.G.R & Veera Pandiyan & Karunagaran Madhavan, 2004. "Malaysia’s Export Market: Trends, Prospects and Challenges," International Trade 0404002, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Yoshifumi Fukunaga & Ponciano Intal & Fukunari Kimura & Phoumin Han & Philippa Dee & Narjoko Dionisius & OUM Sothea, . "ASEAN Rising: ASEAN and AEC Beyond 2015," Books, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), number 2013-rpr-01 edited by Yoshifumi Fukunaga & Ponciano Intal, Jr. & Fukunari Kimura & Phoumin Han & Philippa Dee & Narjoko Di.
    9. Claudia de Fuentes & Gabriela Dutrénit, 2013. "SMEs’ Absorptive Capacities and Large Firms’ Knowledge Spillovers: Micro Evidence from the Machining Industry in Mexico," Institutions and Economies (formerly known as International Journal of Institutions and Economies), Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, vol. 5(1), pages 1-30, April.
    10. Mats Furby, 2005. "Evaluating the Malaysian Export Processing Zones With special focus on the electronic industry," International Trade 0510004, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Leo van Grunsven, 2006. "New Industries in Southeast Asia’s Late Industrialization: Evolution versus Creation - The Automation Industry in Penang (Malaysia) considered," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 0611, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Dec 2006.
    12. Rajah Rasiah & Nazia Nazeer, 2016. "Comparing Industrialization in Pakistan and the East Asian Economies," Lahore Journal of Economics, Department of Economics, The Lahore School of Economics, vol. 21(Special E), pages 167-192, September.

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