The Competitiveness of the Transformer Industry Between Japan and Taiwan by In-depth Interview

Abstract

Transformer firms in both Japan and Taiwan go to global in order to cost down. From historical and cultural viewpoints, the relationships between the Japanese firms and the Taiwanese firms were closed. Under the circumstances of the economic globalization, firms had to possess some of specific advantage such as differentiation on products and products’ processes, technology, innovation, reputation or other intangible assets. This study attempted to find out the competitiveness and competitive advantages for the Japanese and the Taiwanese transformer industries in order to complete and find out proper and available models for the governments and the companies to review and improve. Through analysis of this study, competitive advantage was from internal to external which means that firms (industry) attempt to get competitive advantage, they had to follow the steps: 1) review their internal management (to see if there is any points had to be revised), 2) find out their core value (to know what and where are their competitiveness), 3) understanding what their customers’ needs and where their markets were, and then 4) the Japanese and the Taiwanese transformer industries collaborated with each other to compete on the global. Because the resources of firms were limited, firms need government’s positive supports to integrate to develop their competitive advantages.