Industrial Development for the 21st Century

Industrial Development for the 21st century examines the new challenges and opportunities for developing countries arising from globalization, technological change and new international trade rules. It covers the traditional points of entry for late industrializers like textiles and clothing. The book also analyzes the increase in knowledge intensity across all spheres of economic activity, including agriculture and services, which can offer promising development paths for some developing countries. It concludes by addressing the social and environmental aspects of industrial development and examines how policies to promote industrial energy and materials efficiency can have positive impacts on both the environmental and financial performance of firms.

Industrial Development for the 21st century examines the new challenges and opportunities for developing countries arising from globalization, technological change and new international trade rules. It covers the traditional points of entry for late industrializers like textiles and clothing. The book also analyzes the increase in knowledge intensity across all spheres of economic activity, including agriculture and services, which can offer promising development paths for some developing countries. It concludes by addressing the social and environmental aspects of industrial development and examines how policies to promote industrial energy and materials efficiency can have positive impacts on both the environmental and financial performance of firms.

David O'Connor is Chief of the Policy Integration and Analysis Branch of the United Nations Division for Sustainable Development in the Department for Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). Mónica Kjöllerström is a Sustainable Development Affairs Officer at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) in New York.