Journal of Korea Game Society (한국게임학회 논문지)

Korea Game Society (한국게임학회)
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The Strategic Ambidexterity of Online Game Companies: The Exploitation and Exploration of NCsoft

온라인 게임회사의 전략적 양면성: 엔씨소프트의 활용과 탐험

  • Bae, Joonheui (School of Business Administration, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Koo, Dong Mo (School of Business Administration, Kyungpook National University)
  • Received : 2015.01.26
  • Accepted : 2015.02.06
  • Published : 2015.02.20
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Abstract

This research analyzed the case of Ncsoft to study the organizational learning, exploitation and exploration that create dynamic capability in hypercompetitive environment. First of all, we demonstrated the activities of exploitation and exploration in Ncsoft according to the life cycle of online game industry. An exploitation related to routine, learning and fit with existing environment brings about incremental innovation. In contrast, an exploration associated with non-learning, flexibility with changing environment results in radical innovation. We examined them based on the life cycle of its various game services. NCsoft that built the leading position in online game industry focused the exploitation activities at the stage of beginning period and growth, whereas NCsoft has increased the activities of exploration at period of mature. In addition, the firm conducts an exploration for its brand new game services and R&D. Conversely, An exploitation is conducted for sustainable updating of patch service and marketing and system building. The result implies that online game companies create sustainable competitive advantage using the balance between exploitation and exploration.

본 연구는 초경쟁적인 환경에서 온라인개발회사가 동태적 역량을 만들어 낼 수 있는 조직학습인 활용과 탐험에 대하여 엔씨소프트 사례를 중심으로 분석하였다. 학습, 루틴, 기존환경과의 적합성을 특징으로 하는 활용은 점진적 혁신을 이끌어 내는 반면, 비학습, 변화하는 환경에의 유연성과 관련된 탐험은 급진적인 혁신을 이끌어 낸다. 문헌연구를 바탕으로 우선 엔씨소프트의 활용과 탐험 활동을 온라인 게임산업의 사이클에 따라 검증하였다. 다음으로 엔씨소프트의 다양한 게임서비스의 사이클을 중심으로 활용과 탐험에 대해 살펴보았다. 온라인게임시장에서 비교적 빠르게 선도적 입지를 구축한 엔씨소프트는 온라인 게임산업 태동기와 성장기에는 활용 활동을 주로 하였으나, 산업의 성숙기에는 탐험활동을 늘여 왔다. 또한 각 게임서비스 라인의 신작 출시 및 기술개발에는 탐험활동을, 지속적인 패치 서비스 업데이트와 마케팅 및 시스템구축에는 활용활동을 수행하였다. 이것은 온라인 게임회사가 활용과 탐험의 균형을 통해 지속적인 경쟁우위를 창출할 수 있음을 시사한다.

Keywords

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