Asian Nations Catching Up to U.S.

• Position: Finds study of technological capabilities among 33 nations - Brief Article

A study of international competitiveness may give U.S. producers of technology products another reason to be looking over their shoulders. While the U.S. remains the undisputed world leader in exporting technology products, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, study of technological capabilities among 33 nations shows the industrializing countries of Asia quickly catching up, thanks to an information-based economy that facilitates rapid change.

"Our study points to a much more competitive environment for the United States," indicates Alan Porter, director of the Technology Policy and Assessment Center at Georgia Tech. "The playing field is changing from a ski slope to a gentle plateau. No longer is the United States alone on the playing field with the Japanese."

Although the study evaluates nations as varied as Israel, Brazil, and the Czech Republic, Porter sees the real action among the "Asian Cubs." These challengers--including China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines--are moving up alongside traditional...