Development theory and Third World industrialisation

This article examines the industrial climate in Taiwan as a result of environmental regulation and activism through a survey analysis of 35 petrochemical firms on the island. The research finds first that the regulatory climate is resulting in economic uncertainty among firms as to if and when to comply with regulations leading to continued pollution control mismanagement. Furthermore, the research finds that the character of much of the environmental activism is detrimental not only to further industrial development, but also to environmental protection.