چالش ها و فرصت های اقتصادی صنعت ورزش در تایوان The Economic Challenge and Opportunity of Sport Industry in Taiwan

۱٫ Introduction In response to the growth of all sectors of the sport industry, particularly health-related fitness, many universities in Taiwan have established undergraduate and graduate sport management program since 1995 to train and prepare qualified human resources. Top level talents with international perspectives are cultivated in the disciplinary areas of marketing, research and development (R& D), production and administrations with a special vision on the expanding global market of the sport industry. Taiwan’s sport industry has been known for its entrepreneurship and technological innovations [1]. Taiwan today is a symbol of energetic economy through benign competition. According to the Global Competitiveness Report 2010 released by the World Economic Forum, Taiwan ranks the thirteenth overall on the global scale and seventh for the innovation factors. The estimated size of Taiwan’s sport industry is approximately US$3.5 billion in 2011 according to the report of Council for Economic Development and Planning in Taiwan. This value is expected to increase to US$9.3 billion in 2015 [2]. With its success in the fields of information technology (IT) and electronic innovation, Taiwan has achieved a head start in the sporting goods race. The vibrant growth of the sporting goods industry is supported by two factors. First, the established supply chain ensures an extremely sound production and sales of sporting goods. Second, improved public awareness for the importance of health and exercises worldwide have increased demand and sales [3]. As Taiwan is widely considered as a world leader in information technology (IT) advancement, many manufacture companies have invested in the design and production of renovated products that provide a better quality of exercise, experience, enjoyment, and safety. Lately, these value-added products have become a mainstream of sporting goods. Many small- to medium-sized sport businesses have been formed since the late 1970s and they are driving the intensified market competition, elevated products quality, and product line transformation today. Such achievement is mostly due to domestic producers’ efforts in constantly introducing foreign cutting-edge technologies, persistently upgrading manufacturing and R&D capabilities, rapidly responding to market needs, determinedly stabilizing product quality, tirelessly developing sound up-, mid-, and down-stream sectors, and steadily maintaining efficient management. Many sporting activities are popular in Taiwan. Taking bicycle industry as an example, a comprehensive industry chain has been formed. All the small- and medium-sized component vendors, such as wheel, lighting, and derailleur, are working together with leading industry players to create a giant bicycle industry in Taiwan. Due to the rising oil prices and environmental awareness, bicycling has become one of the most popular outdoor activities worldwide. Taiwan, known as “the bicycle kingdom”, produces almost 90% of bicycles worldwide. With the support from the government, manufacturers, retail chains, and marketers are expected to make Taiwan a “bicycle paradise”. Similarly, golf club heads, yachts and fitness equipment are other manufactures highlighting Taiwan’s achievement in the sporting goods sector. Sporting goods vendors have often integrated infor mation and communication technology (ICT) to enhance their distinct features and competitive advantages.