Introduction

The objective of this book is to contribute to the discussion about the industrial development of East Asian nations in the context of global competition, through an industry history approach and with a long-term perspective. Based on a case study of the evolution of the Japanese watch industry since the mid-19th century, this book aims to shed light on the way enterprises in this country were able to become competitive in world markets in the 1960s, and to challenge the dominant position exerted by Swiss fi rms at the beginning of the 1980s. Despite the diffi culties encountered since the mid-1980s, the phenomenal success of the Japanese watch industry led to musing – and admiration. What can explain this technological and economic achievement in a late industrializing nation? Several approaches can be envisioned to consider this interrogation. An industry history approach is offered in this book.