The global economy is being rapidly restructured under the impact of the information technology revolution, moving towards knowledge-intensive economic activities. There is
now in the literature a range of theories that provide a rationale for a link between industrial structure and competitiveness. One implication of such theories is that there may be leading industrial sectors, particularly important in factors driving growth, such as innovation and
the generation and diffusion of knowledge. Expansion of such sectors can change the trajectory of economic development and foster growth of national income and welfare. The issue of the role of industrial structure, and of the computing and electronics industries, in growth and competitiveness are approached through the experience of particular industrialised and developing economies. In this thesis central attention is given to considering the role
of computing and electronics industries in the growth and competitiveness of East Asian nations over the period 1970-1995.