East Asian Skill Formation Systems and the Challenge of Globalisation

This paper seeks to develop a theory of East Asian Skill Formation centred on the role of the developmental state. The historical factors that have led to the success of skill formation processes of the ‘Asian Tigers’ are identified and it is argued that while there are factors they share that have led to their success, unique national forces also need to be taken into account. The Tigers now face a set of fundamental challenges, these are identified and an assessment is made of the trade‐offs they will have to make in confronting them.