Across Southeast Asia, as in many other regions of the world, politicians seek to win elections by distributing cash, goods, jobs, projects, and other material benefits to supporters. But they do so in ways that vary tremendously—both across and within countries. This project presents a new framework for analyzing variation in patronage democracies, developed through examination of distinct forms of patronage and different networks through which it is distributed. We draw on a large-scale, multi-country, multi-year research effort involving not only interactions with hundreds of politicians and vote brokers but also surveys of voters and political campaigners across the region. At the core of the analysis is the concept of electoral mobilization regimes, used to describe how key types of patronage interact with the networks that politicians use to organize and distribute these material resources: political parties in Malaysia, local machines in the Philippines, and ad hoc election teams in Indonesia. In doing so, we show how and why patronage politics varies, and how it works on the ground.
Meredith Weiss is Professor of Political Science in the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy at the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY) and inaugural Director of the SUNY/CUNY Southeast Asia Consortium (SEAC). Her work, which draws on extensive field research, addresses mobilization, identity, and civil society; electoral politics and parties; institutional reform; and subnational governance in Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia and Singapore. Her most recent books are The Roots of Resilience: Political Machines & Grassroots Politics in Southeast Asia (Cornell, 2020), and the co-authored Money & Machines: Mobilizing for Elections in Southeast Asia (Cambridge, 2022). These join two prior monographs, several dozen journal articles and chapters, and over a dozen edited/co-edited volumes. She also co-edits the Cambridge Elements series,Politics & Society in Southeast Asia. As a Lee Kong Chian NUS–Stanford fellow this year, she is completing a book on Malaysian sociopolitical development.
Meredith L. Weiss joins the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC) as 2024-2025 Lee Kong Chian NUS-Stanford Fellow on Southeast Asia for the 2024 fall quarter. She is Professor of Political Science in the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy at the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY). In several books—most recently, The Roots of Resilience: Party Machines and Grassroots Politics in Southeast Asia (Cornell, 2020), and the co-authored Mobilizing for Elections: Patronage and Political Machines in Southeast Asia (Cambridge, 2022)—numerous articles, and over a dozen edited or co-edited volumes, she addresses issues of social mobilization, civil society, and collective identity; electoral politics and parties; and governance, regime change, and institutional reform in Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia and Singapore. She has conducted years of fieldwork in those two countries, along with shorter periods in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Timor-Leste, and has held visiting fellowships or professorships in Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and the US. Weiss is the founding Director of the SUNY/CUNY Southeast Asia Consortium (SEAC) and co-edits the Cambridge Elements series, Politics & Society in Southeast Asia. As a Lee Kong Chian NUS–Stanford fellow, she will be working primarily on a book manuscript on Malaysian sociopolitical development.
Hide publication sections
Off
Date Label
Meredith Weiss, 2024-2025 Lee Kong Chian NUS-Stanford Fellow on Contemporary Southeast Asia
Jinseok Kim joins the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC) as Asia Health Policy Postdoctoral Fellow for the 2024-2025 academic year. He recently obtained his Ph.D. in economics at the Technology, Economics, Management and Policy Program of Seoul National University. He holds a Master of Science degree in Environmental Technology from Imperial College of London as well as Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from University College London. His research interest mainly lies in behavioral economics, demand forecasting, and policy analysis in the fields of technology diffusion, energy and environment.
His thesis (tentative title), “Quantum-like Approach to Random Utility Maximization Framework: Application to Discrete Choice Modelling,” applies the concepts of quantum mechanics to provide a reinterpretation of human decision-making process under the random utility maximization framework, which is found to derive an expanded model that accounts for the randomness of human choice as well as the effect of self-uncertainty at the individual-level. Through choice analysis under this new quantum-like theoretical framework, this study endeavors to make both theoretical and empirical contributions to choice modeling.
During his time in Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, he hopes to expand his area of expertise by taking upon a research project that aims to analyze the impact of population aging to innovation diffusion and technology consumption. Through this project, he hopes to make real contributions to future preparations and policy structuring for imminent changes in society.
Join us for a conversation with Lora Ho as she discusses the transformation of TSMC and its pivotal role in expanding the semiconductor supply chain from Taiwan to the global stage.
Lora will first share her experiences at TSMC, reflecting on the company’s evolution throughout her career and its impact on the global supply chain. She will also address the new challenges TSMC faces as it expands its industrial supply chain by establishing factories in the United States and Japan and consider how her leadership has helped navigate these challenges in the context of the AI-driven industrial revolution.
Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of AI-driven industrial changes and Taiwan's strategic position within the global supply chain.
Lora Ho joined TSMC in 1999 and has held several positions during her 25-year tenure. She currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and the Chair of the ESG committee. Throughout her career, she has gained extensive experience, including serving as Senior Vice President for Europe & Asia sales at TSMC from 2019 to 2022, and as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at TSMC from 1999 to 2018. Prior to her time at TSMC, she was the Chief Financial Officer at TI-Acer Semiconductor Manufacturing from 1990 to 1999.
Lora Ho has been recognized for her contributions to the industry with several awards. In 2018, she was named one of the Nine Most Influential Women in Asia Tech by Nikkei Asian Review magazine. Between 2007 and 2019, she was recognized as the Best Companies’ Best CFO of Taiwan and Asia by FinanceAsia. In 1993, she was honored as an Outstanding Financial Executive by the Financial Executives Institute.
Xinxin Lu joins the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC) as visiting student researcher during the 2024-2025 academic year. She is currently a doctoral student in Sociology at Tsinghua University. Her dissertation focuses on "The Dying and the Chinese Family: The Economic, Moral, and Cultural Logic of End-of-Life Care in China."
Matthew Dolbow joins the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC) as visiting scholar from 2024 to 2026 from the U.S. Department of State. He most recently served as Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Naha, Japan. While at APARC, he will be conducting research on identifying opportunities to rebuild U.S.-China dialogue, and on China’s human supply chains and mapping international talent migration in response to China’s COVID and post-COVID policies and competition with the U.S.
Xue Chen joins the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC) as visiting scholar for the 2024-2025 academic year, through March 2025. She serves as Professor at Yunnan University in the School of Ethnology and Sociology. While at APARC, she will be conducting research on migration of population and "stuff" (such as coffee and tobacco) between southwest China and southeast Asia.
The Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue convenes social science researchers and scientists from Stanford University and across the Asia-Pacific region, alongside policymakers, private and public sector experts, and emerging leaders to accelerate progress on achieving the United Nations-adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Dialogue aims to generate new research and policy partnerships to expedite the implementation of the Agenda's underlying framework of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The 2024 Dialogue focuses on advancing SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. It will be held at Stanford University on October 10 and 11, 2024, Pacific Time, and is free and open to the public.
Bechtel Conference Center Encina Hall Central, First Floor 616 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford CA 94305
9:00–9:30 a.m. — Welcoming of Guests Registration of Attendees and Check-In of Speakers Breakfast for Speakers and Attendees
9:30–9:40 a.m. — Welcome Remarks Gi-Wook Shin Director of Shorenstein APARC and the Korea Program William J. Perry Professor of Contemporary Korea Senior Fellow, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies Professor of Sociology Stanford University
9:40–10:35 a.m. — Plenary 1 The Role of World Leaders in Higher Education and Sustainable Innovation Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
Moderator Jean Oi Director of the China Program at Shorenstein APARC William Haas Professor of Chinese Politics Stanford University
Keynote Speakers Ban Ki-moon The 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations Chairman of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future Zandanshatar Gombojav Chairman of the 7th and 8th State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia Eun Mee Kim The 17th President of Ewha Womans University Professor in the Graduate School of International Studies Director of the Ewha Global Health Institute for Girls and Women Francis Fukuyama Olivier Nomellini Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies Director of the Ford Dorsey Master’s in International Policy Research Affiliate at The Europe Center and Professor, by Courtesy, in the Department of Political Science Stanford University
10:35–11:00 a.m. — Q&A
11:00–11:15 a.m. — Coffee and Tea Break
11:15–12:05 p.m. — Plenary 2 Promoting Climate Change Diplomacy Across Sectors Sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea
Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities.
Moderator Matthew Dolbow Senior Foreign Service Officer of the U.S. Department of State Former Consul General of the U.S. Consulate General Naha in Japan Visiting Scholar, Shorenstein APARC, Stanford University
Keynote Speakers Chan-Woo Kim Former Ambassador for Climate Change and Government Representative for Arctic Affairs of the Republic of Korea Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Republic of Kenya Visiting Professor at Gyeongsang National University Erdenebold Sukhbaatar Member of the State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia Dave H. Kim Senior Advisor to the President and Chair Outreach Specialist Global Green Growth Institute
12:05–12:30 p.m. — Q&A
12:30–2:00 p.m. — Public Luncheon for Attendees (Front Lawn)
2:00–2:45 p.m. — Plenary 3 Advancing Resilient Infrastructure and Sustainable Industrialization in the Indo-Pacific Region Organized by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission
Target 9.a: Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in developing countries through enhanced financial, technological and technical support to African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States.
Moderator Michael Beeman Visiting Scholar, Shorenstein APARC, Stanford University Former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Japan, Korea and APEC at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Panelists Joel Abraham CEO, Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission Lorraine H. Akiba President and CEO, LHA Ventures Diana Bowman Associate Dean and Professor, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law Co-Director, Center for Smart Cities and Regions Arizona State University
2:45–3:15 p.m. — Q&A
3:15–3:45 p.m. — Coffee and Tea Break
3:45–4:30 p.m. — Plenary 4 Catalyzing Innovative Energy Infrastructure Financing in Asia and the Pacific Organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Target 9.3: Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets.
Panelists Rie Hiraoka Visiting Scholar at Shorenstein APARC, Stanford University Former Director of the Social Sector Division for Central and West Asia Department, ADB Professor at Kyoto University for Advanced Sciences Advisor for the Institute of Future Initiatives Consulting General Manager, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Sulakshana Jayawardena Former Secretary of the Ministry of Power and Energy, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Kee-Yung Nam Principal Energy Economist, Energy Sector Group, ADB R. Duncan McIntosh Senior Regional Maritime Specialist, Transport Sector Group, ADB
4:30–5:00 p.m. — Q&A
Note: Day 2 of the Dialogue features parallel sessions of expert panels and workshops, held at different venues.
EXPERT PANELS
Bechtel Conference Center Encina Hall Central, First Floor 616 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford CA 94305
8:30–9:00 a.m. — Welcoming of Guests Registration of Speakers and Attendees Breakfast for Speakers and Attendees
9:00–9:15 a.m. — Welcome Remarks Kim Sook Executive Director of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations
9:15–10:00 a.m. — Expert Panel 1 Leveraging Investments for Industrial Innovation and Sustainable Infrastructure
Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries.
Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least-developed countries by 2020.
Moderator Sanjeev Khagram Visiting Scholar, Center for International Security and Cooperation, Stanford University Executive in Residence, Plug & Play Technology Center President, Global Carbon Removal Partnership
Panelists Jeep Kline Managing Partner and Founder, Raisewell Ventures Professional Faculty in Sustainable and Impact Finance, Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley David Suh Managing Director, Samsung Ventures Gita Wirjawan Former Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia Visiting Scholar, Precourt Institute for Energy, Stanford University
10:00–10:30 a.m. — Q&A
10:30–10:45 a.m. — Coffee and Tea Break
10:45–11:30 a.m. — Expert Panel 2 Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Resilient Infrastructure Organized by Ewha Womans University
Target 9.a: Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in developing countries through enhanced financial, technological and technical support to African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States.
Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least-developed countries by 2020.
Moderator Brendan Howe Dean and Professor of the Graduate School of International Studies, Ewha Womans University
Panelists Leif-Eric Easley Professor of International Studies, Ewha Womans University Jaehyun Jung Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of International Studies, Ewha Womans University Thomas Kalinowski Professor of Political Science at the Graduate School of International Studies, Ewha Womans University Yeomin Yoon Distinguished Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University
11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Q&A
12:00 - 1:30 p.m. — Public Luncheon for Speakers and Attendees (Front Lawn)
1:30–2:15 p.m. — Expert Panel 3 Ecopreneurship and Innovative Investments for Sustainable Change
Target 9.3: Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets.
Moderator Kiyoteru Tsutsui Deputy Director of Shorenstein APARC and Director of the Japan Program Henri H. and Tomoye Takahashi Professor and Senior Fellow in Japanese Studies Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies Professor of Sociology Stanford University
Panelists Jennifer Jeong-Ah Ryou Founder and CEO, Muirwoods Ventures Former Global Affiliate Visiting Scholar, Shorenstein APARC, Stanford University Banjo Yamauchi Founder and CEO of the Yamauchi-No.10 Family Office and Yamauchi Foundation Global Affiliate Visiting Scholar, Shorenstein APARC, Stanford University Edward Qiang Zeng Chairman and Founder of NextG Tech Limited and China Bridge Capital Global Affiliate Visiting Scholar, Shorenstein APARC, Stanford University
2:15–2:45 p.m. — Q&A
2:45–3:00 p.m. — Coffee and Tea Break
3:00–4:05 p.m. — Policy Roundtable Integrating the Value of Environment Into Policy and Decision-Making for Sustainable Development Organized by the Korea Environment Institute and the Natural Capital Project of Stanford University
Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending.
Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities.
Moderator SoEun Ahn Vice President, Korea Environment Institute
Panelists Choong-Ki Kim Director of the Division for Natural Environment, Korea Environment Institute Osamu Saito Principal Policy Researcher, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies Visiting Professor, University of Tokyo Tong Wu Senior Scientist and Associate Director, Natural Capital Project China Program, Stanford University
Discussants Sung Jin Kang Professor in the Department of Economics and Director of the Graduate School of Energy and Environment Global Energy Technology Policy Professional Program, Korea University Lisa Mandle Director of Science-Software Integration and Lead Scientist, Natural Capital Project, Stanford University Dara O’Rourke Associate Professor of Environmental and Labor Policy in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California at Berkeley
4:05–4:30 p.m. — Q&A
4:30–4:45 p.m. — Closing Session
Closing Remarks Kim Bong-hyun Former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Australia Former President of Jeju Peace Institute Advisor to Mr. Ban Ki-moon Kiyoteru Tsutsui Deputy Director and Professor, Shorenstein APARC, Stanford University
Note: Day 2 of the Dialogue features parallel sessions of expert panels and workshops, held at different venues.
WORKSHOPS
Philippines Conference Room Encina Hall Central, C330 (Third Floor) 616 Jane Stanford Way, Stanford CA 94305
9:15–10:05 a.m. — Emerging Leaders Workshop 1 Design Thinking for Developing Sustainable Technology and Equitable Infrastructure
Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities.
Moderator Karen Eggleston Director of the Asia Health Policy Program, Shorenstein APARC Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies Stanford University
Panelists Hye In Chung Visiting Scholar, Natural Capital Project, Stanford University Research Professor, Ojeong Resilience Institute, Korea University Tomo Kumahira Co-Founder and CEO, Project Mizu and Mizu Risk Lab MS Student in Environmental Resources at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability MBA Student and Knight-Hennessy Scholar, Stanford Graduate School of Business Cynthia Zeng Assistant Professor, NYU Stern Business School in Abu Dhabi Visiting Professor, Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Discussant Sang Cheol Kim Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellow, Steven Chu Group, Stanford University
10:05–10:30 a.m. — Q&A
10:30–10:45 a.m. — Coffee and Tea Break
10:45–11:35 a.m. — Emerging Leaders Workshop 2 Strengthening Labor Force Participation and Development for Inclusive Industries
Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries.
Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least-developed countries by 2020.
Moderator Cheryll Alipio Associate Director for Program and Policy, Shorenstein APARC, Stanford University
Panelists Haley Gordon Ph.D. Student in the Department of Sociology, Stanford University Suhani Jalota Hoover Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University Founder of Myna Mahila Foundation Yasmin Wirjawan Advisor of Ancora Group and Trustee of Ancora Foundation
Discussant Paul Chang Tong Yang, Korea Foundation, and Korea Stanford Alumni Association Senior Fellow, Shorenstein APARC, Stanford University
11:35–12:00 p.m. — Q&A
12:00–1:30 p.m. — Public Luncheon for Speakers and Attendees (Front Lawn)
For inquiries about the Trans-Pacific Sustainability Dialogue, contact Cheryll Alipio, Shorenstein APARC’s Associate Director for Program and Policy: calipio@stanford.edu.
For press inquiries, contact Noa Ronkin, Shorenstein APARC’s Associate Director for Communications and External Relations: noa.ronkin@stanford.edu.
Day 1: Thursday, October 10, 9:00 a.m. - 5 p.m. PT | Bechtel Conference Center, Encina Hall Center (First Floor) Day 2: Friday, October 11, 8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. PT | Bechtel Conference Center & Philippines Room, Encina Hall Central, C330 (Third Floor)
As nations grapple with an increasingly competitive global talent landscape, a new study, published in the journal World Development, suggests that countries should rethink their approach to developing, attracting, and retaining talent. To address the need for a more complete understanding of cross-national variation in talent development strategy, the study proposes Talent Portfolio Theory (TPT), a novel approach to studying and improving human resource development.
The researchers, Stanford sociologist Gi-Wook Shin, the William J. Perry Professor of Contemporary Korea and the director of APARC and the Korea Program, and Haley Gordon, a PhD candidate at Stanford’s Department of Sociology, draw on the principles of Modern Portfolio Theory, a well-established framework in financial investment literature, to propose a new framework for talent development.
The new framework, TPT, views a nation’s talent strategy much like an investment portfolio, emphasizing the importance of diversification, risk management, and rebalancing. Shin and Grodon examine Japan and Singapore as case studies to illustrate how the TPT approach can help scholars, policymakers, and businesses better understand and optimize talent development strategies.
The study is part of the Talent Flows and Development research track of the Stanford Next Asia Policy Lab (SNAPL). Housed at APARC and directed by Shin, SNAPL is a new initiative committed to addressing emergent social, cultural, economic, and political challenges in Asia-Pacific nations through interdisciplinary, policy-relevant, and comparative research.
Talent Portfolio Theory enables a holistic understanding of a nation’s talent development. TPT also allows us to see the evolution of talent development strategy in terms of rebalancing a talent portfolio over time.
Gi-Wook Shin and Haley Gordon
A Fresh Perspective on Talent Development
Talent development has long been a priority for nations aiming to boost economic growth and compete globally. Traditionally, countries have focused on building human capital — developing skills and education among citizens — and social capital — strengthening networks and relationships that facilitate cooperation and innovation. Existing strategies, however, often overlook the interconnected nature of various talent flows, including the movement of domestic talent, international talent, and diaspora engagement.
Just like financial theory evaluates a given investment (and its risk and return qualities) by how it impacts a portfolio’s overall performance rather than in isolation, TPT treats talent as a portfolio composed of four key elements, known as the “four Bs”: brain train (domestic talent development), brain gain (attracting foreign talent), brain circulation (movement of talent between home and abroad), and brain linkage (engagement with diaspora communities).
“In the study of national talent development, it is imperative to consider both the human and social capital facets of talent, as a country has multiple layers of talent available for use – domestic, diasporic, and foreign – each with different human and social capital potentials,” write Shin and Gordon. They propose TPT as “a better framework for illustrating and comparing different experiences and impacts of talent development at the national level, which is also key in offering policy prescriptions for human resource strategies.”
Talent Portfolio Theory allows for a comparison between Singapore and Japan, [...] explaining how timely rebalancing to maintain diversification enabled the former to sustain success while the latter stagnated, succumbing to risk.
Gi-Wook Shin and Haley Gordon
Insights from Japan and Singapore
Using Japan and Singapore as case studies, the authors demonstrate how countries can apply TPT to manage their talent portfolios. Japan's economic growth relied on two tiers of human capital: top-level scientists and engineers who adapted and integrated foreign technologies for domestic use, and skilled workers who grasped the fundamentals of these adapted technologies and carried out the manufacturing processes. With limited prospects for brain gain, circulation, or linkage, Japan developed these two layers of its workforce by relying on brain train, cultivating domestic talent for its industrial development.
In the early 1990s, however, Japan’s economy ran into trouble. Its system of brain train was well-suited for driving incremental innovation, but it became restrictive in the rapidly evolving landscape of the early 21st century, which demanded more disruptive innovation. “The Japanese model of human resource development necessitated a robust supply of domestic manpower which now became increasingly difficult to sustain, and a shrinking working-age population also meant labor shortage and reduced productivity,” say Shin and Gordon. “In the language of TPT, Japan urgently needed to diversify its talent portfolio beyond its reliance on brain train to address new risks.”
Recognizing the risks of a skewed talent portfolio, Japan began to rebalance its talent portfolio in the 2010s but has struggled with demographic decline and a slow pivot toward international talent. Despite efforts to internationalize higher education and attract foreign talent, Japan’s diversification of its talent portfolio has been stagnant and was hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In contrast, Singapore’s approach showcases the benefits of a well-balanced talent portfolio. The city-state’s aggressive pursuit of foreign talent (brain gain) and robust engagement with its diaspora (brain linkage) have made it a leader in global talent strategy. Singapore’s government has continually adjusted its policies, actively rebalancing its talent portfolio to maintain a competitive edge.
Singapore started rebalancing its talent portfolio in the 1990s, not only enhancing its efforts toward brain train but also expanding brain gain by internationalizing higher education and actively promoting a “work-migration” path. In tandem with its brain gain initiatives, Singapore also turned to its diaspora, fostering brain circulation and establishing stronger brain linkages. Through concerted efforts by the government and industry, Singapore has successfully produced and attracted creative talent that allowed it to remain globally competitive.
“Talent Portfolio Theory enables a holistic understanding of the various components of Singapore’s talent strategy and its evolution over time, from the country’s focus on brain train during its catch-up phase to its rebalancing with a successful brain gain, in addition to more recent forays into brain circulation and brain linkage,” Shin and Gordon explain.
Countries must enact sociocultural policies that ensure global competitiveness in the new talent market by emphasizing openness, tolerance, and diversity in order to gain the best and brightest brains.
Gi-Wook Shin and Haley Gordon
Toward Fostering Cultural Diversity
TPT offers a powerful framework for crafting more resilient and adaptive talent strategies. As the global competition for skilled workers intensifies, understanding the dynamics of talent portfolios can help countries mitigate risks, capitalize on opportunities, and avoid the pitfalls of overly narrow approaches to human resource development. For instance, countries experiencing demographic decline, like Japan, can look to Singapore’s model of timely rebalancing as a guide for policy adjustment. Businesses also stand to benefit from TPT. The framework encourages companies to look beyond the availability of local talent and consider the broader talent ecosystem, including international talent flows and diaspora engagement.
Shin and Gordon emphasize that structural and sociocultural factors often limit policy options for building and rebalancing talent portfolios. Japan and Singapore illustrate that developed countries with abundant domestic opportunities are better positioned to retain talent and attract brain gain, whereas developing countries often experience talent outflows, favoring brain circulation or linkage (as seen in China and India). Additionally, while ethnically homogenous countries like Japan may prefer to rely on domestic and diasporic talent, multiethnic countries like Singapore can better attract foreign talent and engage in brain gain.
The contrasting experiences of Japan and Singapore underscore the critical importance of fostering cultural diversity to attract foreign talent. Singapore’s success with brain gain, compared to Japan’s more mixed outcomes, largely stems from its multicultural environment, shaped by policies that protect minority rights and actively promote respect for diverse ethnic groups. To remain competitive in the global talent market, countries must prioritize sociocultural policies that cultivate openness, tolerance, and diversity. By embracing these values, nations can attract the best and brightest minds, ensuring their place in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Read More
News
Stanford Next Asia Policy Lab Receives Grants to Advance Policy Engagement and Research Collaboration
New grants to inform U.S. Asia policy and fuel cross-disciplinary research on Asia’s role in the global system of the 21st century.
New Study Reveals Geopolitical Rivalries Shape Attitudes Toward Immigrants
Researchers including Stanford sociologist Kiyoteru Tsutsui, the deputy director of APARC and director of the Japan Program at APARC, find that geopolitical rivalries and alliances significantly shape citizen perceptions of immigrants.
Stanford’s Asia-Pacific Research Center Invites Applications for Fall 2025 Asia Studies Fellowships
The Center offers multiple fellowships for Asia researchers to begin in Autumn quarter 2025. These include postdoctoral fellowships on Asia-focused health policy, contemporary Japan, and the Asia-Pacific region, postdoctoral fellowships and visiting scholar positions with the Stanford Next Asia Policy Lab, a visiting scholar position on contemporary Taiwan, and fellowships for experts on Southeast Asia.
Stanford researchers Gi-Wook Shin and Haley Gordon propose a novel framework for cross-national understanding of human resource development and a roadmap for countries to improve their talent development strategies.
Talent Portfolio Theory is a new framework for studying human resource development.
Talent portfolios use brain train, brain gain, brain circulation, and brain linkage.
National talent strategies involve portfolio diversification and rebalancing.
Talent Portfolio Theory allows cross-national comparison of talent strategy over time.
While Japan stagnated, Singapore sustained growth by rebalancing its talent portfolio.
In this article, the researchers propose Talent Portfolio Theory (TPT) as a new framework for studying human resource development. Drawing insights from Modern Portfolio Theory in financial investment, TPT views a nation’s talent development as creating a “talent portfolio” composed of four “B”s: brain train, brain gain, brain circulation, and brain linkage. TPT attends to how a talent portfolio, like a financial one, is diversified to minimize risk, and how diversification can be maintained via rebalancing. As such, TPT provides a framework that captures the overall picture of a country’s talent strategy and offers a lens through which to understand how a country changes or “rebalances” its talent portfolio over time. It also provides a tool for examining cross-national variation in talent development strategy.
The authors illustrate the utility of TPT with the cases of Japan and Singapore. While human resource development was crucial to the economic rise of both countries, TPT demonstrates that Japan’s and Singapore’s approaches to constructing and rebalancing their talent portfolios took different routes with diverging outcomes. They conclude with discussions of theoretical and policy implications of this new approach for the study and implementation of talent development.
Abby McConnell joined FSI in 2024, after serving as the assistant director of student services in Stanford’s Oceans Department. Prior to Stanford, she worked in academic settings for over 15 years with a focus on teaching writing to a range of students, from high school seniors to mid-career military officers, and crafting marketing and internal communications materials. She is also a published fiction writer and essayist, with a BA in Communications from UC Berkeley and an MFA in English-Creative Writing from UC Irvine.
