The Static and Dynamic Growth Patterns of High-Tech Ventures in Korea

This study explores on the static and dynamic growth patterns of high-tech ventures in Korea. We developed an integrative framework with target market (local vs. global), product/market maturity (existing vs. emerging), and technological capability (follower vs. pioneer). We also identified seven new ventures strategies as follows: i) reactive imitation, ii) proactive localization, iii) import substitution, iv) creative imitation, v) early market-entry, vi) global niche, and vii) global innovation. With five successful Korean new ventures, we found different competitive behaviors and performance among new venture strategic types. This study also observed two different growth patterns: growth through strategic replication and growth through strategic change. It depends on whether they are pursuing similar strategy over time or different strategy within for growth. In addition, we found that creative imitation plays a stepping-stone role in two-step internationalization processes. Although this study is exploratory and needs more empirical studies, it can provide new ventures with meaningful guidelines for growth and internationalization with a dynamic perspective.