ABSTRACT

This chapter deals with the global-local dimension of the production system which characterizes one branch of manufacturing in the production complexes of one of the Asian newly industrialized economies (NIEs), Singapore. It focuses on the spatial and organizational aspects of the behaviour of firms, in the process of adopting strategic responses to the imperatives of restructuring, and the implications for the global-local dimensions of the production system. The chapter presents some of the research findings pertaining to the supplier segment. The suppliers included in the research are quite diverse in terms of origin, status and period of establishment. The findings with respect to main producers of audio equipment in Singapore appear to be in line with what has been postulated in the recent literature on strategic firm responses to the triggers of restructuring. In addition to the changes observed with respect to the main supplier segment, fundamental changes are also observed in the patterns of operation of the supplier firms.