Mismanaging Innovation Systems Thailand and the Middle-income Trap

Once recognised as a high-performing newly industrialising Asian economy with the potential for economic and developmental success similar to South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, Thailand’s growth rate and competitive edge have declined substantially. With slower adoption and movement towards the knowledge-intensive industries, the loss of the competitive edge is a cause of growing concern among Thai policymakers, with Thailand succumbing to the middle-income trap. This book analyses Thailand’s declining competitiveness in the past 50 years, considering both the national and sectoral roles and capabilities of key players, including the government, universities and research institutes, as well as the electronics, food, and automotive industries. Including comparative analyses with other Asian nations, this book is a must-read for both students and practitioners with interests in development economics, industrial economics and public policy.

1. Introduction Part I: Thailand’s National Innovation System: Performance of Key Actors 2. Science, Technology and Innovation Policy of the Thai Government 3. Technological Learning and Innovation of Firms in Thailand 4. Universities and Public Research Institutes 5. Innovation Financing 6. Institutions Part II: Sectoral Innovation Systems of Strategic Industries 7. Thai Electronic Industry 8. Thai Automotive Industry 9. Thai Seafood Industry

Patarapong Intarakumnerd is Professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo, Japan. He is a regional editor and member of international editorial boards of several international journals relating to innovation management and policies. He has worked as an advisor/consultant for the World Bank, UNESCO, UNCTAD, OECD, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), German Development Institute, International Development Research Center of Canada, and Economic Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).