Kaohsiung American Chamber of Commerce’s Influences on The Development if Kaohsiung Local Economy YE4A Alison Yang

Contents Introduction (Background) Theoretical Framework Methodology Result and Analysis Conclusion

Introduction City is as important as a country. Kaohsiung and Kaohsiung American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Kaohsiung) City is as important as a country. - the local economic development (typical way) Key Elements Government People Organization  Chamber of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce Public law Private law  AmCham Kaohsiung Aim to promote the local economy (University of Cambridge) Can be a factor  make the local economy development become better or worse (Tsai, n.d. )

American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan AmCham Taipei AmCham Taichung AmCham Kaohsiung

American Chamber of Commerce Kaohsiung Founded on June 4th, 1991 Goals  to enhance understanding, communication, cooperation and commitment for a better environment Shares, gives advices from American’s side Annual Southern Taiwan White Paper

Kaohsiung Largest industrial and commercial harbor city 77,716 companies and 24,349 overseas foreign companies (Economic Development Bureau, 2013) A city filled with factories  international and develop knowledge industries (Wealth Magazine, 2013)

Theoretical Framework I New Local Economy Development (Tietz, 1994) importance of the city 4 factors to make inner cities/cities become competitive (Porter, 1997) Strategic Location – harbor city Integration with regional clusters – AmCham Unmet Local Demand – White Paper Human Resources

Theoretical Framework II The importance of Chamber of Commerce Bennett’s book “ Local Business Voice” If business does not have a voice, It does not have a future. Chambers are logical channels for the voice. Partner organization (Robson and Bennett, 2010) A bridge of communication (Chen, 2011)

Research Questions Does AmCham Kaohsiung have such significant influence in Kaohsiung like others in foreign countries? In what way or how does AmCham Kaohsiung influence local economy development in Kaohsiung?

Methodology I Participants: had experiences, connections, professional relationship Representative from AmCham/K, Vincent Representative from AmCham/K, Steven Member, Manager of West Virginia Company, Joe Member, Professor from Pingtung Institute of Commerce, Jack

Methodology II Instrumentation and Procedure Qualitative Interviews (through e-mail) Two questions types: for AmCham: the purpose of founding the organization, White Paper, thought about Kaohsiung economy For members: how AmCham help them in their business, thought about Kaohsiung economy Data are coded, categorized, and analyzed

Result and Analysis I Business Development Opportunities Social Impact Differences in Opinion: A matter of Perspective

Result and Analysis II Business Development Opportunities Spoke up for local voice Offer recommendation toward development Social Impact Obtain positive exposure Excellent communications Help business-academic cooperation

Result and Analysis III Differences in Opinion: A matter of Perspective Not AmCham’s duty No great deal of development in Kaohsiung

Conclusion Indirectly influence No evidence showed Kaohsiung is an inner city Limitation

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