Early Life
Morris Chang was born in Ningbo, China, on July 10, 1931. He lived in Hong Kong and later immigrated to the United States. His father was a graduate of East China Normal University. Chang initially aspired to be a novelist or journalist, but he pursued engineering after his father persuaded him otherwise. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the family moved to several cities, including Nanjing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Chongqing, and Shanghai.
Rise to Success
Chang obtained degrees from Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Stanford University. His career in the semiconductor industry began in 1955 at Sylvania Semiconductor. He later worked at Texas Instruments for 25 years, rising to the role of group vice president responsible for the company's global semiconductor business. In 1984, he became president and chief operating officer of General Instrument Corporation. In 1987, he founded TSMC.
Key Business Strategies
Chang pioneered the foundry model of semiconductor fabrication, enabling fabless semiconductor companies to outsource manufacturing. This model allowed TSMC to become the world's largest independent semiconductor foundry and one of Taiwan's largest companies. Chang is credited with developing innovative strategies and fostering a culture of excellence within the company. TSMC's success is also attributed to a strong talent pool, low employee turnover, and the concentration of industry manufacturing in Taiwan.
Philanthropy
Morris Chang is known for his philanthropic efforts. He is the chairperson of the TSMC Charity Foundation.
