ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors outline and explain the international division of labour, illustrating the arguments by reference to examples drawn from three of the most clearly high technology subsectors, namely, semiconductors, computer systems and telecommunications. They present preliminary theoretical points concerning the role of technology in competition and the study of divisions of labour at the international scale. The authors provide preliminary ways of understanding the international division of labour (IDL). Interest in the IDL actually pre-dated work at the sub-national scale on spatial divisions of labour. The authors presents some examples of corporate spatial divisions of labour and briefly comment on Britain's place in the international division of labour in electronics. The international division of labour in electronics has developed from three main bases – United States of America (USA), Europe and Japan. The American firms led in technology but the European companies were able to maintain their position by imitating the former's products.
