Technological Capability Building and Changes in R&D Networks in the Korean Automotive Industry

한국 자동차부품산업의 기술능력 형성과 연구개발 네트워크의 변화

This paper looks at "network" aspects of research and development (R'||'&'||'D) with a special focus on small and medium (S'||'&'||'M) automotive part makers in Korea. It throws light on recent changes in the technological capability building mechanism of Korean automotive firms. The Korean automotive firms have mostly built up technological capability from scratch. It is widely acknowledged that they have benefited from two cooperative relations: namely (1) the close cooperative relationship with their own assemblers and (2) technical assistance from auto parts makers abroad. Too much emphasis on these two links can, however, keep us from understanding new developments. This paper argues that auto parts firms have diversified their networks for technological development. It is based on the analysis of the data drawn from the survey on technological development activities of small and medium sized firms, which was carried out by the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business. Many automotive firms have recently increased joint R'||'&'||'D links with university and/or research institution while their reliance on foreign sources have decreased.