FOREWORD
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The APO co-organized the Study Meeting on Creative Entrepreneurship in Taipei,
ROC, 18–21 May 2004, with the China Productivity Center. Since its inception in 1961, the
APO has consistently placed great importance on the productivity and quality improvement
programs and activities of its member countries. Small and medium enterprise (SME)
development constitutes one of the APO’s thrust areas, and one key aspect of SME development is the fostering of entrepreneurs.
The study meeting, with the theme “Creative Entrepreneurship” was a timely event.
Entrepreneurs often create significant breakthroughs and bold innovations in all fields of
business. Entrepreneurial organizations similarly create new value and contribute to the
economic growth of nations. The study meeting offered a valuable opportunity to examine
not only creative entrepreneurship in SMEs but also in large corporations and how to foster
creative entrepreneurs in the business sector.
The event brought together a panel of distinguished speakers, both from the ROC and
overseas, to cover a broad range of issues ranging from the key success factors for
entrepreneurial creativity in firms to implementing creative entrepreneurship in established
firms, incubation of innovative enterprises, and new product development, which is an
important aspect of value creation. The panel was chaired by Professor Tan Wee Liang,
Singapore Management University, to discuss the following themes at the study meeting:
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Relevance of creative entrepreneurship for business growth and economic prosperity
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Critical examination of success factors for entrepreneurs
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Role of stakeholders, especially the government or NPOs, in promoting entrepreneurship
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Measures available to access entrepreneurial activities in an economy and their economic impact
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Development of enterprise “ecosystems”
This volume is a compilation of the papers and views presented at the study meeting.
The APO greatly appreciates the efforts of Professor Tan in editing this volume. We hope
that the contents will provide information on policies, best practices, and current
developments that will be of use to policymakers, entrepreneurs, and enterprises engaged in
fostering creative entrepreneurship.
Shigeo Takenaka
Secretary-General
Tokyo,
December 2005
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