Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Japan Politics, Organizations, and High Technology Firms

Japan's innovators and entrepreneurs are a real success story against the odds, surviving recession in the 1990s to prosper in today's competitive business environment. Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Japan explores the struggles of entrepreneurs and civic-minded local leaders in fostering innovative activity, and identifies key business lessons for an economy in need of dynamic change. Ibata-Arens offers in-depth analysis of strategy in firms, communities and in local government. Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Japan examines detailed case studies of high-technology manufacturers in Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo, as well as bio-tech clusters in America - demonstrating far-reaching innovation and competition effects in national institutions, and firms embedded within local and regional institutions. The book is essential reading for academics and students of business, economics, political economy, political science, and sociology. It will also appeal to investors, entrepreneurs and community development organisations seeking new perspectives on global competition and entrepreneurship in high-technology enterprises.

1. Introduction; 2. Regions and firms; 3. Innovation theory: firms, regions and the Japanese state; 4. Japan's quest for entrepreneurialism; 5. Inter-firm networks; 6. The Kyoto model; 7. Regions in comparison; 8. Conclusion; Appendix; References; Index.

This new perspective on Japanese economic history explores the struggles of entrepreneurs and civic-minded local leaders in fostering innovative activity. Through 50 case studies, Ibata-Arens explores the socio-political foundations of sound innovation and entrepreneurship policy, offering a model for further testing.