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AbstractAn agglomeration is an organization composed of its segments such as infrastructure and institutions. Sequencing economics discusses the sequential process analysis of building the segments of an agglomeration. The concept of 'economies of sequence' can be defined as the selection of any two segments from among the set of segments of an agglomeration and the sequencing of the segments toward the efficient building of an agglomeration. A central place theory in spatial economics gives the initial conditions of sequencing the segments of the tourism industry agglomeration as the economies of sequence. Using Proposition 1 in Henkel et al. (2000) and analyzing the corollary of the proposition additionally, we interpret our results obtained from Granger causality testing. The corollary is that a symmetric equilibrium is more likely to become unstable and break when substitutability between differentiated goods and transport costs becomes sufficiently low. The first priority in the order of the sequencing of segments in a tourism industry agglomeration is thereby given to those of low transport costs and substitutability between differentiated goods. We find that the first priority segment is Universal Studio Japan to lower the degree of substitutability between the differentiated goods and that the second is Kansai International Airport to reduce transport costs.

AbstractThe segments of an industrial agglomeration consist of physical infrastructure, institutions, human resources and living conditions. The "economies of sequence" is defined as building segments in an efficient sequence. Prerequisite conditions on segments comprise those segments that contribute to a reduction in transport costs. The Granger causality test identified sequences such as the opening of the Tsukuba Express Railway followed by the development of residential towns, the renovation of Kyoto Station followed by implementation of new express schedules, and increasing airline routes between Naha Airport in Okinawa and other Asian cities preceded by the expansion of the airport.

One of the characteristics of developing economies is that they are highly dependent on exports of primary commodities for their foreign exchange earnings. The major issues of international commodity policy have been price instability and decline in real price and producer export earnings. After analysing quantitatively the three characteristics of the pricing mechanism (volatility, linkage and cycles, which are tested by coefficients of variations, time lag correlations and spectral analyses, respectively), the article makes clear in detail the background of the changes in the pricing mechanism since the 1970s. It explains why future markets in open exchanges make commodity prices more volatile. (DÜI-Sen)

This lucid and informative book analyzes the problem of clusters in transition through studies of agglomerations at different stages of development in various East Asian countries. The contributors reconsider industrial cluster policy within a more dynamic and long-term framework, and explore how regional transformations can bring new insights to the theory of agglomeration and innovation. By identifying the factors and policies to promote upgrading, the authors establish the theoretical and policy basis for transforming industrial clusters from production-oriented to innovation-oriented agglomerations. They also study the important structural changes in the region, such as FTAs and the role of the WTO, and the consequent effects on clusters.

ABSTRACT New trends are now taking place within manufacturing industries led by multi-national corporations (MNCs). Globalization and liberalization together with the information technology (IT) revolution has accelerated "fables" industry in the network economy, i.e. outsourcing production processes and global parts procurement by MNCs. As a consequence of this, the primary function of the MNC has changed from that of manufacturer to 'service' provider by outsourcing production processes to foreign contract manufacturers (CMs). NAFTA in fact mutated Mexico into a production platform toward the US and Canada as well as Latin American countries. We can observe these dramatic changes, for instance, in Guadalajara in Mexico, now called the "Silicon Valley in the South". Since MNCs use their brand names to sell products, their business function becomes close to that of the fashion industry. They market their products in the same way as Gucci and Chanel sell products of original design carrying their brand names. Therefore, product design and marketing become highly important for MNCs to achieve success in business while domestic providers have been left behind for their parts and components supply in this new global supply chain.

New trends are now taking place within manufacturing industries led by multinational corporations. Globalization and liberalization together with the information technology revolution has changed the primary function of the MNC from that of manufacturer to service provider by outsourcing production processes to foreign contract manufacturers. As a consequence, NAFTA mutated Mexico into a production platform toward the US and Canada as well as Latin American countries. These dramatic changes can be observed, for instance, in Guadalajara in Mexico, now called the "Silicon Valley in the South". (Rev Econ Polit/DÜI)

The hypothesis of catastrophic expectations is formulated mathematically and the construction of a model that takes into account divergent expectations of agents resulting from differences between them in learning level is discussed. This model is used to estimate the degree of learning in the copper market. It is shown that price stabilization temporarily and cyclically improves aggregate welfare and makes timing of policy implementation critical. (DÜI-Sen)

This book proposes measures to promote regional industrial development in East Asia from the perspective of three industries: agriculture, food, and tourism. The authors argue that for regional agriculture to develop, collaboration with the food industry is essential. Further, by linking tourism, economic collaboration between the three industries is strengthened. The first part of the book introduces a basic model for the formation of the agriculture, food, and tourism industry cluster. Contributions from leading academics in agricultural economics then go on to discuss the relevance of this multi-industry cluster in countries such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Cambodia, amongst others. The final part sets out new approaches for further development in the cluster through quantitative analyses of the 'economies of sequence' concept. Readers will discover that from establishing linkages between different industries and other economic sectors, important positive externalities can be generated and these processes can be triggered on the local or cluster level.