Fiber Optic Lighting Development Trends in Asia

Fiber optic lighting products, which originated from defense applications but have gradually migrated to civilian uses, possess the advantages of energy conservation, safety, and environmental protection, and allow the control of light path. As a consequence, fiber optic lighting products are expected to play key roles in the lighting industry during the 21st century. In view of these circumstances, this study explores fiber optic lighting industry development trends in Asia, including the developed countries of Taiwan and Japan and the developing countries of China and Vietnam, and examines issues that may affect the fiber optic lighting industry in the future. This study employs the Delphi method to interview experts and researchers in Taiwan, Japan, China, and Vietnam, determine a hierarchy influencing the fiber optic lighting industry's future development trends, and establish assessment criteria. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is then used to investigate the relative importance of different aspects and rules. Results suggest that the development of fiber optic lighting in Taiwan must emphasize safety awareness, strengthening environmental protection laws, and integration of technologies from different industries, in order to respond to overall industry needs and conform to international development trends. The main point of emphasis in Japan is on the drafting and revision of laws governing environmental energy conservation mechanism so as to reduce pollution on a worldwide scale. In addition, the strong guidance ability of relevant units of the Japanese government, and people's high level of acceptance of green products, constitute the key to an industry clustering effect in Japan. For their part, China and Vietnam must depend on transfer of foreign technology and integration with existing technologies if they are to develop technologies and products. The two countries are still at the development stage, and must obtain technology from foreign sources. Because of this, since these countries' governments are aware of the difficulty of obtaining initial development funds, they must rely on their foreign investment policies and incentives to stimulate the development of their fiber optic lighting industries.