The semiconductor industry challenges in the decade ahead

The semiconductor industry has entered a period of great promise destined to be the most fruitful and rewarding in its history. This potential has been recognized by governments, major non-electric companies, communications and media organizations, with all exerting strong external forces on directions and strategies ....Concurrently, the rate of technology advancements continues unabated with major technology turnovers occurring every five to seven years. Each advance is more demanding, pressing for internal capabilities to design and manufacture devices and the need to meet critical requirements for interfacing with external users .... Do these forces present challenges that require new approaches and strategies by the semiconductor industry, or are they large-scale versions of similar forces that have been faced by industry in each of the major technology events of the past 25 years? ....These vital issues will be assessed.