Journal of Digital Convergence (디지털융복합연구)

The Society of Digital Policy and Management (한국디지털정책학회)
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Characteristics and Technology Development Mode of Local Hidden Champions in Korea : How are they different?

지역 강소기업의 특성과 기술개발 방법 : 독일 강소기업과의 비교를 중심으로

  • Huh, Moon-Goo (School of Business Administration Kyungpook National University)
  • Received : 2015.06.23
  • Accepted : 2015.08.20
  • Published : 2015.08.28
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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the differences between successful SMEs in Korea and German hidden champions, with respect to both strategic importance and performance of major competitive dimensions, and mode of technology development. Data were collected through survey and public databases, and the sample comprises successful SMEs located in regional area in Korea. The results show that Korean hidden champions are relatively low regarding specialization of business domain and globalization while German hidden champions have positioned in global niche market. It is also found that local firms utilize technology alliances actively for technology development while German hidden champions rely heavily on internal R&D as a primary source of innovation. Based upon these results, policy directions for fostering local hidden champions were suggested.

독일의 강소기업에 대한 이해를 바탕으로 국내에서도 중앙정부나 지방자치단체를 중심으로 강소기업 육성을 위해 다양한 정책이 추진되고 있다. 그러나 국내 강소기업은 독일과는 상당히 다른 특성을 가지며, 연구와 정책개발을 위해서는 그 차이에 대한 이해가 선행되어야 할 것이다. 첫째, 전반적 특성과 전략적 행동 및 성과 측면에서 지역의 강소기업은 독일 기업에 비해 업력이 현저히 짧고 특정 분야에의 전문화 정도는 오히려 낮으며, 특히 원가경쟁력과 세계화 등의 측면에서는 약점을 보이는 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, 기술개발 방법에 있어서, 독일의 강소기업은 자체 연구개발을 통한 기술개발과 경쟁력 확보에 초점을 두는 반면, 지역의 성공적 중소기업은 협력적 기술개발, 특히 기술제휴를 적극적으로 활용하는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 분석을 바탕으로, 연구의 기여와 정책적 시사점에 대해 논의하고, 연구의 한계와 향후 연구방향을 제시하였다.

Keywords

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