The Patterns and Directions of Technological Innovation in the Steel Industry

철강산업의 기술혁신패턴과 발전과제

This article prospects the patterns of technological innovation in the steel industry and suggests the directions of technological innovation in Korean steel industry. Technological innovation patterns can be analysed through technological trends, innovation-inducing mechanism, and innovators' relationships. In the technological trends, direct coupling of manufacturing processes, lasting growth of mini-mill, and the importance of technological integration are prospected. In the innovation-inducing mechanism, while production system will be specialized, the development of new steel materials and environment-friendly technological innovation will be accelerated. In the innovators' relationships, steel industry faces more complex competition and new forms of inter-firm cooperation including M&A, joint venture, and joint R&D. In order to cope with such changes in the technological innovation patterns, Korean steel industry need to establish core competence based on technological innovation through a great leap in R&D investment, the production of high value-added products, the development of new generation steel technologies, strategic joint R&D, comprehensive technological cooperation, and government's active support.