Catching up to Leadership: The Role of Technology-Support Institutions in Japan's Casting Sector

Japan ' s casting and foundry sector has been integral to the developmental success of a range of machine-based industries. Although casting technology is mature, institutional and policy support was vital to the Japanese casting industry ' s rapid gains in quality and productivity. A crucial part of the industry ' s drive for technological proficiency was the role of technology-supporting institutions (TSIs) and government policies. The purpose of this study is to analyze how TSIs and government policies improved the technology of firms and the industry as a whole. Japan ' s institutional experiences may have important implications for developing nations currently pursuing rapid industrialization.