Abstract
In the past decade, Taiwan has emerged as the largest manufacturing base of notebook computers in the world. Some aspects, such as supply chain of supportive industries, strong ability of production management, lower cost and design capability, make foreign computer companies release a lot of orders to Taiwan notebook manufactures.In recent years, international computer companies are cutting price of notebook computers to expand their market share. This causes profits on notebook computers all over the supply chain to be lower and lower. In the meantime, these players eventry to take over the procurement process for their OEM suppliers in order to controlcosts, making business very difficult for Taiwanese Notebook Computer makers.This study, through collecting, analyzing, and comparing data from past development, investigates notebook computer industry from both global and Taiwan’s perspectives, and from both historical and marketing aspects. Main Taiwan notebook computer companies are distinguished to two categories by background and marketing strategy. We try to compare the cooperative relationship between vendors of key components and notebook makers. We also examine technology transfer along the supply chain. We conclude that key components and design ability of notebook computer industry are the most important edges to compete for notebook companies of Taiwan.