Rethinking Asia 2: Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

The essays in this collection focus on the theme of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, as investigated by ten graduate students and Fellows from Harvard, MIT, Tufts, and Stanford University in the three Asia Leadership Treks and seven Asia Leadership Fellowship Tours that took place in 2015. The destinations visited by the ninety-four Trekkers and Fellows altogether included eighteen cities in ten countries. In this volume, you will find essays ranging from an analysis of up-and-coming Chinese internet companies to a discussion of race relations in Malaysia, from an examination of Filipino history to a case study of a manufacturing start-up in India. The authors tackle complex themes, identifying the many differences among Asian countries, while at the same time finding the links between them. They argue passionately for the benefits of innovation, adaptation, and learning across cultures. Through their writing, which incorporates both scholarly
research and personal experience, they eloquently convey the life-changing possibilities of giving and receiving knowledge through exploration, leadership, and public service.

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“With an overarching theme of entrepreneurship and economic development in Asia, this book draws readers into the Trekkers’ experiences, thoughts, and viewpoints during their one-month transformational journey across Asia. Readers will feel as if they were part of the voyage with the Trekkers!”

Young Joon Mok, SJD
Chairman, Committee for Social Contribution at Kim & Chang
Former Justice, Constitutional Court of the Repubic of Korea

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“As the world shifts its focus toward Asia, it comes as no surprise that more people are beginning to show interest in this vibrant region. This book successfully brings diverse narratives to literature, showcasing the Trekkers’ experiences in engaging with key stakeholders such as educators, policymakers, government officials, and entrepreneurs to learn about opportunities and challenges facing the region.”

Jay K. Rosengard, Ph.D.
Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School of Government

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“Asia has become the new hotbed for start-ups with many young entrepreneurs who are keen to create better lives for themselves. The Trekkers managed to capture the essence of the action and business ideas from the region as well as the economic, political, cultural, and social significance in the countries visited. I hope this book will ignite the entrepreneurial spirit in the next generation of leaders.”

Gil Alterovitz, Ph.D.
Director of Biomedical Cybernetics Laboratory, Harvard Medical School