University of Macau / Faculty of Education

Not available / text

published_or_final_version / abstract / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Sociology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

A study of the Taiwanese leather tanning industry is the basis of a critical reflection on the anthropological literature surrounding Chinese enterprises and a familistic "Chinese entrepreneurial ethic" which supposedly constrains their growth. Data gathered through historical research and in-depth interviews show that the growth of firms in the industry has not been inhibited by a familistic "entrepreneurial ethic." The structure of the industry has been far more influenced by Taiwan's history of incorporation into the world economy and the policies of modernizing governments, both under Japanese (1895--1945) and GMD rule (1945--present). The establishment of a market-friendly institutional context on Taiwan, including private property rights and contract law, has made it possible for some firms to grow from small family enterprises into relatively large corporations. At the firm level, organization of production into family or corporate firms is less influenced by a Chinese cultural essence than by the degree of capitalization available to firms and the type of product they produce. / The "entrepreneurial ethic" thesis not only fails to account for the empirical reality of the Taiwanese tanning industry. In the Taiwanese context, the discourse on Chinese family firms has political implications in terms of class, gender and nation on Taiwan. First of all, focus on the family has overlooked class- and gender-based inequalities in such enterprises. in chapters five through seven, therefore, this thesis draws attention to the roles of workers and women in the contemporary Taiwanese economy. Secondly, studies. of Taiwanese society as a reflection of Chinese culture neglect controversies within Taiwan about "Taiwanese identity" and national sovereignty. Chapter eight is thus an discussion of the competing nationalist discourses employed by the state and Taiwanese entrepreneurs. In conclusion, it is argued that cultural explanations of economic behavior have political implications which should be rendered transparent in the social scientific literature.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 177-191). / Microfiche. / xv, 191 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of North Texas, May, 2008. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Southern California, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-140).

Within a few years of the end of World War Two Christianity had spread to every Taiwanese aboriginal group. Nowadays a variety of Christian churches play an important role in aboriginal society. This study is about conversion to Christianity and its aftermath in an aboriginal village. Fieldwork was conducted among the Ami (one of the nine Taiwanese aboriginal groups), in Iwan, a village on the eastern coastal of Taiwan. In this study the individual interests of social actors are emphasised. I suggest that not only political leaders had special motives (i.e. to pursue political power) in conversion, but also ordinary people had their own interests too (i.e. to pursue a better life in the future). In this sense we might say that the meanings, functions, purposes and aims imputed to religion by converts are arrived at through local dialogues. Religious conversion happened against a historical background of long and sustained contact with colonising immigrants (e.g. Japanese and Chinese). During colonial rule. Ami social life expanded radically and mass conversion took place, in the 1950s, when a common dissatisfaction with life was felt. I argue that relative deprivation was an important factor in this conversion and it became significant because of the emphasis put on it by local political leaders. The adoption of different Christian churches is best understood from the perspective of internal political relations and the careers of political leaders. In general I argue that through the articulations of prominent Ami leaders various external phenomena have been integrated into Ami life and successful articulations have also helped certain political leaders to pursue or maintain their authority.

The thesis looks at the question of political change in Taiwan. Specifically it examines the question of whether or not political liberalization has occurred simply as a result of economic development. The thesis also evaluates the extent of the political reform that has occurred. After examining a variety of information on the economic development and social changes, as well as the political history of the island, the thesis looks at specific political reforms. The conclusion is drawn that the process of political reform in Taiwan is not a carefully pre-determined plan on the part of the political elite. Rather, political reform is the response of the ruling Kuomintang to try and perpetuate their hold on power. Reforms occur only as they serve that particular goal. / Arts, Faculty of / Political Science, Department of / Graduate