Rights Sold: Japanese, Korean
English Sample Translation Available
The significance of the chip supply chain in global power competition can no longer be overlooked. Even if you believe the ongoing global chip war holds little relevance for you, there is still an island that is deeply intertwined with your tech-driven lives. Boasting 70 percent of the world's semiconductor manufacturing capacity and 90 percent of the most advanced ones, this island is none other than Taiwan, home to a company known as TSMC. Transforming from a small semiconductor foundry to a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, today, TSMC's every move carries significant implications for global power dynamics and the world economy.
For three decades, Taiwanese journalist Lin Hong-wen has borne witness to the remarkable growth trajectory of Taiwan's semiconductor industry. In this captivating book, Lin draws upon his extensive archive of interviews and commentaries to provide firsthand insights into the success story of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the management philosophy of its leaders, the company’s competitive strategies, and its leadership transition. Set against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions, Lin also delves into TSMC's investments in the United States and Japan, the competitive landscape of the global semiconductor industry, and the pivotal role that Taiwan plays in the world’s semiconductor value chain.
Lin possesses a distinctive viewpoint within Taiwan’s semiconductor industry that equips him to guide readers in understanding its past, present, and future. He also reflects on why TSMC has become so formidable, how Taiwan's semiconductor industry has persevered and thrived through adversity, and the challenges it currently faces. Through the book, the author shares his front-row perspective with readers, enabling them to feel as though they are on the front lines of the chip war, journeying alongside the key figures and living through the events.
Table of Contents:
Foreword The TSMC When I Was 19
Steve Ho, Taiwan internet serial entrepreneur known as the father of Taiwan’s e-commerce
Foreword The TSMC Way: a Successful Model that Creates a Taiwan Miracle
Dr. Quincy Lin, former TSMC Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer
Foreword TSMC's Winning Formula: Building a Coexistent and Prosperous Ecosystem
Stan Shih, co-founder of Acer Inc. & former board member of TSMC
Foreword A Journal that Follows the Development of a Corporate Giant
Nojima Tsuyoshi, Japanese journalist & author specializing in the Greater China region
Foreword Putting the Customer First: Learning from the Past to Guide the Future
Sega Cheng, co-founder & CEO of iKala, a leading AI transformation solutions provider
Foreword Reporting with Responsibility and Drawing Informed Conclusions
Dr. Chiang Shang-Yi, Chief Strategy Officer for Semiconductor at Foxconn & former joint Chief Operating Officer at TSMC
Preface Where Does It Go from Here for a Company with Unhidden Radiance
Introduction An Island that Radiates
Part I Business Blueprint and Strategy
Dad Told Me to Work at TSMC Because It Sounded Like a Government Job
Morris Chang: It's Called 'Silicon Casting,' Not Semiconductor Foundry
Making the Right Choice at Every Stage to Ensure Seamless Transition to the Next One
The Unsung Heroes at TSMC
To Achieve Tremendous Profits, Turn the Manufacturing Business into a Service
The Rise of TSMC and UMC: The Twin Towers in the Semiconductor Foundry Sector
M&A Wars on the Chip Island: TSMC Completed Mergers with TASMC and WSMC
Tough Times Ahead for SMIC, No Threat to TSMC
Samsung is Formidable, but Not a Worthy Competitor
Why Has the DRAM Industry Lost its Luster?
TSMC Grand Alliance: Building a Circle of Winners
Morris Chang’s Determined Return as CEO Took the Company to New Heights
Retaining All Talent
Yet Another Miraculous Achievement for TSMC?
Has TSMC’s Next Generation of Leadership Emerged?
Part II Business Operation and Management
Everyone Carries a Trace of Morris Chang
Meetings Are Meaningful Only When They Are Turned into Actions
Witnessing the Supply Chain Resilience of Taiwan's Semiconductor Industry
Leading in Every Aspect Except Price, Leaving Competitors in the Dust
When He Banged his Smoking Pipe, Tore Up Reports, and Shouted ‘Get Out!’
When SMIC Infringed Patent Rights, How TSMC Strategically Forged Ahead to Win
Vigilantly Guarding Against Talent Poaching and Trade Secret Leaks
On the Eve before Board Meetings: Steaks and Fine Wine at the Dinner
TSMC Goes to America: How Do Taiwanese Manage Americans?
Not Just Innovating Technology, but Investing in Innovative Technology
Long Hours, Poor Software, and Minimal Investment in Employees
Part III Corporate Culture and DNA
The Little Paper Clip on the Guest Registration Book
An International Enterprise from Day One
Looking at the Long-Term: Accelerating Depreciation and Amortization in Five Years
Semiconductor Foundry: Why Taiwan Leads Globally
Keeping a Low Profile Despite Being Ultra-Rich
Competition is What Keeps You Running
An Employee Profit Sharing and Stock Ownership Scheme with Taiwanese Characteristics
Succession Based on Merit, Not Connections
Top Talent on Mundane Tasks?
Diligence and Professionalism: Striving for Excellence in Everything
Part IV R&D and Technology Leadership
A Stunning and Shattering Move
The Legendary Six Knights of TSMC R&D, Now Only Four Remaining
Facing Off Against Two 800-Pound Gorillas: The Unrelenting ‘Nighthawk Troop’
Building Another Moat with 7-Nanometer Technology
A Vast Intellectual Property Vault
Implementing Knowledge Management to Become a Learning Organization
The COVID-19 Pandemic, Ukraine-Russia Conflict, and the Disruptions and Reshuffling of Supply Chains
A Promising Technology to Break Through Moore’s Law
The New Ecosystem of Taiwan's IC Design Services and IP Industry
Looking to the Next 20 Years from Three Perspectives
First-Rate Universities Training Operators for TSMC?
Taiwan’s Semiconductor Industry Faces Unprecedented Talent Shortage
The Endgame between TSMC and Samsung
Early Strategic Positioning for Emerging Memories
Part V Geopolitics
Sanctioning China Doesn't Necessarily Mean the U.S. Should Return to Semiconductor Manufacturing
Where Are the Chips Made?
U.S. IC Design Industry and China's Vast Market
The Catfish Effect and the Clustering Effect
From Made in Taiwan to Made by Taiwan
Why Go to the U.S.? It's All About the Customers!
Don't Just Focus on the United States: Investing in Japan Is the Real Key
TSMC's JASM Marks a New Chapter for Taiwan-Japan Alliance
What’s Next for Taiwan-Japan Semiconductor Collaboration?
Why Did Japan's Semiconductor Industry Decline?
Is TSMC the Next Toshiba, Heading to a Downfall?
Has the U.S.-China Chip War Defeated Ren Zhengfei?
What Are We Really Fighting For? Who Are We Fighting For?
Is Taiwan's Semiconductor Industry Truly Number One in the World?
Conclusion Cherishing the Hard-Earned Fruit