Edward Elgar Publishing Skill Development for International Competitiveness

Product Description What skill-development strategies should developing countries adopt to compete successfully in the international markets of the 21st century? This innovative new book provides a blend of theory and case studies which shed new light on this important question. It approaches the question from two angles. It considers, first, how skill development affects a country's international competitiveness and, secondly, what a government should do to develop a country's skills. It concludes that development of skills is necessary for a country to make the transition from primary exports to manufactures and from labour-intensive to skill-intensive manufacturing. For this purpose, it is argued an education system that recognizes the return to improvements in quality, and a training system that internalizes externalities and prevents market failure are needed. Issues explored include: the arguments for an activist skill-development policy (with particular emphasis on education of girls and women); the transition from cheap labour to skill-based competitiveness; human resources and structural adjustment; and different approaches to training for countries and enterprises at different levels of technological development. Skill Development for International Competitiveness will be of interest to academics, students and researchers in the fields of development studies, development economics, the economics of education and training and labour economics. Policymakers and planners responsible for policies on human resource development and employment and overall development strategy will also find this a vital source of information. Review 'This is an important and timely book which has dealt with most debated issues on skill development. In the present context of globalization, this book with a theoretical perspective, strongly supported by empirical evidence on role of skill based manpower is very appropriate for the developing countries. It has very meticulously dealt with the strategies necessary for developing skill to be a global partner. This is an important book for the policymakers, industry, and researchers in international trade.' -- N. Mrinalini, Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research About the Author Edited by Martin Godfrey, Formerly Fellow of the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, UK