• Proceedings of the Technology Innovation Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.57-90
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• 1998

This study attempts to explore the evolution paths of Korean SMEs'strategies and their technological teaming processes. Several different evolution paths are identified based on a dynamic strategic group analysis of 115 SMEs'strategy in the Korean electronic component industry for the period of 1990-1995. Further, inadept case analyses on technological learning processes in 5 firms are undertaken. Major findings of this study can be summarized as follows : 1) There are three dominant evolution paths in SMEs'strategy. First path indicates the evolution from a subcontractor or petty imitator group(a strategic group with the narrow product/market domain and the low level of accumulated resource/capabilities) into an innovator group(a strategic group with the narrow domain but high level of technological capability) by accumulating technological capabilities. Second, some firms move from a subcontractor group into a generalizer group(a strategic group with broad product/market domain but relatively low level of technological capability) by simply adding product lines. Third path involves firms which evolve from a subcontractor group into a production focus group(a strategic group with high level of production capability) by investing in production capabilities. 2) An in-depth case analysis shows those who succeeded in technological learning are managed by CEOs, who have technological expertise and strategic vision, and have made an effort to establish management practices to support innovation, such employee educational program, performance-based reward system, etc. The successful firms also aggressively pursue diverse external linkages with outside technology sources to learn product and process technologies. Fiendly, this study discusses several implications of the findings for the theoretical development and strategic management of small firms in Korea.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.38B no.2
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• pp.105-114
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• 2013

Expansion and growth of body information monitoring service based on WBAN technology speeds up technological evolution in bio-signal detection and measurement, real time monitoring of vital sign and telemedicine control. It is essential for taking action against such technological evolution that newest technology trend and standardization issue should be included in designing and materializing body-information monitoring system strategically to secure preceding technology and to preoccupy market. This paper investigates and analyzes technological trend & issues, and suggests task to take action technologically.

• Journal of Multimedia Information System
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.43-46
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• 2018

The paper considers the main processes of evolution and convergence of information and communication technologies, which have a permanent source for creation and introduction of innovations in learning and education. The modern scientific and technological revolution gives new features to all modern activities, including activities in the sphere of education, influencing it and transforming its phases, form and content, and perhaps understanding in general. Consequently, general understandings about the essence of the provision of educational services and their technological support are also being transformed. Note that, according to scientists, convergence is a new determinant of the development of society, and evolution is a multidimensional natural process of development (becoming).

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.76-89
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• 2004

Recent studies of science and technology "in-the-making" revealed that the process of designing material artifacts is not a straightforward application of prior images or theories by one (or more) person(s) isolated from his or her (their) environment. Rather, designing is a process contingent on the social and material setting for both engineering designers and students. Over the past decade, designing technological artifacts has emerged as an important learning environment in science classrooms. Through the analyses of a large database concerning an innovative simple machines curriculum for sixth-and seventh-grade students, we accumulated valid evidence for the nature of the designing process and science learning through it. In this paper, we show that design actions intertwine with the transformation of the objectified raw materials and artifact, the designer collective, and the mediating tools enabling that transformation, which constitute the elements of an activity from the perspective of cultural-historical activity theory. We conceptualize the continuous change of relation between material artifacts, designers, and tools throughout the design activity as co-evolution. Two episodes were selected to exemplify synchronic and diachronic change of relations inherent in co-evolving activity system. Finally, we discuss the implications of co-evolution during design activity for science learning.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.151-183
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• 2004

This paper investigates the evolution of 'inter-firm' technology transfer in the Thai automobile industry, which has gradually been integrated into global production network of some specific automotive models(one-ton pickups). This paper discusses the linkage between the role of automobile assemblers in transferring technology and the way their strategic changes bring about heightened demands on the technological capacity of suppliers and the contents of technology transfer. With higher competition at the global level, local suppliers are required to improve their technical and managerial skills, especially in the area of 'product engineering' capability. The authors examine the ways local firms have adapted to these changes in their environments, as well as the ways they utilize inter-firm relationship with automobile assemblers as a means to improve their own technological capabilities. The dynamic process of capability formation in local parts firms, through intensive efforts and learning inducements brought about by inter-firm relationships, are also discussed.

• Korean Business Review
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• v.11
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• pp.15-38
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• 1998

This study explores the evolution of technical innovation over time. It focuses on sectors of the information technology because this industry can be referred to as one of the most dynamic industries of all times. Following evolutionary theorists, we argue that technological change is gradual and that superior firms and technologies are reward by the' selection' environment. In the initial phase of the industry life cycle, technological change is expected to be radical and uncertainty is high. Over time a product or technology is likely to arise which stands out above all other products or technologies. These so-called 'basic designs' serve as sorts of 'technological guideposts' for further developments in the technology. Once a basic design established, technological progress tends to follow consistent paths or trajectories. The cumulative character of technological progress facilitates a rapid expansion of the boundaries of the technology until the natural limits of the technology are approached and technological progress slows down. Following ecological theories, supply-side developments in the industry are described on the basis of five different organizational types. On the basis of this pattern of market and technological evolution we came up with seven basic propositions.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.21-46
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• 2004

Focusing on a product, this paper reconstructs the concept of technological systems first introduced by Carlsson and Stankiewicz (1991). Based on the model and our earlier works, we compare the salient features of technological systems for computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools in Korea, Sweden, and the United States.. We also try to measure the performance of the systems in an international comparison. Major findings are as follows: (1) The length of 'learning period' for local (national) technological system is substantial, even though it is a catching-up case. (2) The key success factor of the technological system appears to be the connectivity among various actors or infrastructures, rather than just the existence or formation of those. (3) In three countries' experience, the government played an important role in the formation of each own technological system. (4) The performance of Korea's technological system for CNC machine tools during the past two decades(1981-97) seems to be better than that of Sweden and the U.S. Lastly, many policy implication are presented.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.89-125
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• 2017

Complex product systems (CoPs) is a engineering-intensive products with high-ended design technology, which are closely linked with national economic growth and development of social infrastructures. Accordingly, in order to understand the technological evolution of CoPs, it is necessary to identify the macro-environmental drivers surrounding the CoPs and their impact on the technological evolution of the CoPS. Therefore, we investigate the effect of policy, economic and social drivers on the technological evolution of CoPS by implementing the longitudinal case study on nuclear power plant during the periods between 1950 and 2010s. Based on the analysis of various sources of secondary data and primary data through interviews, we found that the technological evolution of nuclear power plant is progressed as "Phase 1: Application research for peaceful utilization of nuclear energy" between 1950s and 1960s, "Phase 2: The first renaissance of nuclear energy" during 1970s, "Phase 3: Enhancement of safety and the catch-up of latecomers in nuclear energy" between 1990s and 2000s, and "Phase 4: Top prioritization of safety and the development of next generation reactors for the second renaissance of nuclear energy" since 2010s. We also found that various kinds of policy, economic and social drivers, such as energy policy, investment in technology development, economic growth and energy demand, social acceptability and environmental concern, have affected the technology evolution of nuclear power plant at each phase. We emphasize the role of macroenvironmental drivers in the technological evolution of CoPS. We also suggest that countries that endeavor to develop CoPs need to utilize those drivers for enhancing competitiveness and sustaining leadership.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.285-298
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• 1998

Innovation with strategic interaction is to overcome the technological uncertainty and to create co-evolution through competition among individuals or organizations for the acceleration of innovation. The concept of innovation in the past was concentrated on cooperation rather than on competition for the efficient management of limited resources. However, in order to minimize the technological uncertainty, we need an innovation on the basis of competition between organizations. Competition stimulates technological adaptability. It is on the analogy of complex system. This is to satisfy consumers' needs, to transform the resources into a technology, and to apply for the development of new products and new technologies. If the emergence of a new technology threatens present technology and develops into a new level of technology through inter-relation, it becomes a mutually supporting technologies. When theses effects are simultaneously realized, it is possible for firm to have strategical innovation and to create a mutually evolutionary development. Furthermore, when the competition among more than two individuals or two organizations continues towards the same direction, the mutual competition and cooperation can be expected to create a synergy effect. The competitive environment should be composed of R&D, production, and consumers' choice. This will lead to interaction among organizations through strategic competition and cooperation. Intra-firm competition and Inter-firm competition are required to exist together.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Design Studies Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.21.2-21
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• 2001