Jason Dedrick and Kenneth L. Kraemer
An examination is made of the effects of a national technology policy in promoting the production of computer hardware and software in Asia-Pacific countries during the 1980s. An analysis is also made of the relationship between various environmental factors and computer production. Three types of environmental factors are found to be associated with level of computer production: 1. human resources, in the form of scientists and engineers; 2. the presence of complementary industries, particularly electronics production; and 3. expenditures on research and development. It is also found that hardware production is higher in countries with national computer plans but that software production does not appear to be associated with efforts by the government to promote the computer industry.