A number of Asian countries have been able to follow the example of Japan and develop sophisticated industrial economies in a relatively short time. Specifically, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan have become known as the "Four Tigers" of Asia due to their strength and importance in...

The shift in global goods production towards Asia is well documented. But global consumer demand has so far been concentrated in the rich economies of the OECD. Will that also shift towards Asia as these countries get richer? This paper defines a global middle class as all those living in...

This paper investigates whether increased import competition leads firms to engage in incremental innovation reflected in product quality upgrading. The econometric analysis relies on a rich dataset of Chilean manufacturing firms and their products. Product quality is measured with unit values...