This paper reviews major concepts and achievements made in the tropics in tackling; five major social and economic issues associated with research, development and adoption of integrated pest management technologies during the past two decades. Major focus has been placed on (i) integrating IPM into farming systems, (ii) monitoring pest populations, (iii) information and management intensity of IPM, (iv) economic viability of IPM, and (v) institutional factors affecting IPM. Emphasis is placed on pinpointing ways in which success can be achieved and how constraints can be overcome in order to make IPM work better in future.