Asia Pacific Viewpoint

O’Connor, Kevin; Hutton, Thomas A.

1998 Asia Pacific Viewpoint

doi: 10.1111/1467-8373.00059

Daniels, P.W.

1998 Asia Pacific Viewpoint

doi: 10.1111/1467-8373.00060

This paper explores the idea that in the Asia‐Pacific region the relationship between economic growth, industrial transformation and the rise of service industries in general, and producer services in particular, appears to be different to that found in North America or Europe. After an exploration of the context for producer services growth, some simple indices for measuring the relative position of Asia‐Pacific producer services in the global context are used to demonstrate that they are apparently less prominent than expected. More robust data, including case studies, are needed to substantiate this preliminary paper. The paper concludes with the elements of an agenda for further research.

Edgington, David W.; Haga, Hiro

1998 Asia Pacific Viewpoint

doi: 10.1111/1467-8373.00061

The explosive growth of Japanese service sector activities overseas since 1985 has had a significant impact on Pacific Rim cities. However, previous accounts of Japanese direct foreign investment in services have been constrained by official statistics which provide comparative information only at a national level. This paper uses establishment level data to assess changes in the spatial patterns of Japanese service firms among 35 cities as well as changes in the hierarchy of cities in the Pacific during the years 1985 to 1995. The period saw important changes in Japan’s economy such as the emergence of a ‘bubble economy’ up to 1990 and domestic recession after that. The results show the importance of Hong Kong, Singapore and Los Angeles as centres of Japanese service firms. However, the analysis indicates that a shift occurred in Japanese service sector focus over the study period, across the Pacific Rim from North America and Oceania to cities of the Asia‐Pacific region. Along with that shift the concentration of services in just a few cities has remained unchanged, even though some new cities have emerged in importance.

Ho, K.C.

1998 Asia Pacific Viewpoint

doi: 10.1111/1467-8373.00062

Drawing on managerial interview material from a multi‐industry sample, this paper sketches the locational dynamics of regional functions in the Asia Pacific. Generic factors like proximity to company affiliates and market access are discussed, along with industry specific dynamics for air delivery and online information services. The paper ends with an analysis of the inertia created by agglomeration effects of established places versus the competing pulls of new markets and production sites.

Rimmer, Peter J.

1998 Asia Pacific Viewpoint

doi: 10.1111/1467-8373.00063

An examination is made of the nature of corporate restructuring among liner shipping companies to meet the needs of producers for logistic services within the Asia‐Pacific Economic Region. This task is undertaken by detailing the development of the global alliances forged in 1996. Then their impact on port selection and competition within the Asia‐Pacific Economic Region is studied with particular reference to the Trans‐Pacific trade. As the composition of these alliances has already changed by mergers their likely effect on port destinies is considered.

Park, Sam Ock; Nahm, Kee‐Bom

1998 Asia Pacific Viewpoint

doi: 10.1111/1467-8373.00064

A spatial and sectoral reorganisation of producer services has begun to change the urban structure of Seoul. In addition to the existing centre of the CBD, two areas, Kangnam and Yongdeungpo, have emerged as the new centres of producer services in Seoul resulting from relocations from the CBD and the location of firm start‐ups and spin‐offs, so creating a multi‐centred structure. There is a difference between the centres related to the fact that Kangnam is specialised in advanced services and has strong local networks among service firms, firms in Yongdeungpo have strong forward linkages to nearby manufacturing firms and to larger producer service firms, while firms in the CBD are relatively older and have much more intensive overseas ties. This outcome illustrates that shifts in the organisation of producer services in favour of outsourcing have been felt in shifts in spatial patterns. These new structures illustrate that producer service location and operation have a powerful influence upon the pattern of development in Seoul.

Sirat, Morshidi

1998 Asia Pacific Viewpoint

doi: 10.1111/1467-8373.00065

Producer services growth can change the character of a metropolitan region. Achieving that outcome may require the intervention of government, which is not necessarily a simple process as it creates tension between regulatory and developmental roles for government. This paper will address three interrelated issues in connection with the above‐mentioned core idea in the context of the city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: first, the extent to which the evolution of the Malaysian economy has been felt in the growth of the service sector; second, the way that evolution has led to change in the sectoral and spatial character of Kuala Lumpur; third, government’s responses in terms of spatial planning and management in order to accommodate producer services growth. The experience of the Kuala Lumpur region shows how global market forces and national development policies that influence producer service location and growth can reshape the spatial arrangement of a metropolitan region. Managing the growth of producer services calls for new approaches to manage metropolitan change. An ‘enabling’ model is proposed to replace the present ‘policing’ model of spatial planning.

Searle, Glen H.

1998 Asia Pacific Viewpoint

doi: 10.1111/1467-8373.00066

This paper explores the distribution of producer services within Sydney in the context of globalisation, technological change and the location of labour. Four case study industries are analysed: management consultancy, general insurance, graphic design, and data processing. It is concluded that globalisation appears to have reinforced the traditional central city focus of Sydney’s producer services sector, although the producer services surveyed here have dispersed away from the CBD itself. Technological change in conjunction with residential preferences is expanding this focus in parts of the sector, particularly toward residential areas of professionals in less contact‐intensive activities.

1998 Asia Pacific Viewpoint

doi: 10.1111/1467-8373.00067

Donald Tuzin, The cassowary’s revenge: the life and death of masculinity in a New Guinea society Raul Pertierra, Philippine Localities and Global Perspectives: Essays on Society and Culture Jacqueline Leckie, To Labour with the State: the Fiji Public Service Association

1998 Asia Pacific Viewpoint

doi: 10.1111/1467-8373.00068