What explains the pattern of industrial leadership revealed in the seven case studies presented in this volume? Do early leaders generally maintain their dominance, or do they often falter? What factors influence change in the pattern of industrial leadership over long time periods? What lessons do these studies yield for public policy? This chapter summarizes and synthesizes the conclusions of our industry studies that bear on these questions.

Section I highlights the factors stressed by the chapter authors in explaining the pattern of industrial leadership in their industry. Section II considers the extent to which differences in the domestic supply of critical inputs and the national institutions that often lie behind these differences can explain the locus of leadership. In Section III, we discuss the importance of differences in the pattern of domestic demand as a factor explaining the national locus of leadership. Section IV considers the question, Where does industrial leadership reside: in the firms themselves, in regional or sectoral systems, or in nationwide factors? In Section V, we examine the dynamics of industry structure, considering the factors that influence change in the locus of leadership and change in industry structure over time. Finally, Section VI considers the implications of these conclusions for public policy.

Explanations for Industrial Leadership in These Seven Industries

In the Introduction, we presented summary histories of the shifting patterns of industrial leadership in seven industries.