Exploiting the complementary knowledge

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• Exploiting the complementary knowledge
• the case of international technology transfer
• between Korea and Russia -

Prepared for DPhil Day
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1. Introduction

• International technology transfer (ITT) is

mechanisms for shifting information and knowledge
across borders and its effective diffusion
(UNCTAD, 2004)?
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1. Introduction
Why taking place?

• cost risk sharing (buy vs. make)?

• complement internal capability (open vs. closed
  system)?

• only possible way to acquire relevant knowledge
  for late-comers

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1. Introduction
Patterns and trends

• sharing common ground (regional, cultural
  proximity)?

• relatively codified knowledge (packaged or
  mature technologies)?

• market channels (licensing, assembly plants, FDI
  )

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1. Introduction
Many researches focusing on

• identifying motivations, channels, patterns by
  macro analysis
• (large sample of survey or existing data)?

• identifying mechanism of ITT from developed ?
  developing
• nations (national or industry level analysis)?

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2. Research Topic
Position of my research tackles ITT issues

• between contrasting partners

• by non-packaged knowledge

• by non-market channels

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2. Research Topic
ITT between Korea Russia appropriate for my
criteria
ltKorea VS. Russiagt

• But they implement active ITT..led by
  government program

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2. Research Topic
The hypotheses is

• The gap of contrasting knowledge capabilities
  between two
• nations can be narrowed by appropriate policy
  measure and
• public involvement.

The research question is

• What is the role of policy measure and public
  involvement?
• What is key factor to make successful technology
  transfer?

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3. Theory Methodology
Central theoretical framework absorptive
capacity
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3. Theory Methodology
Firms absorptive capacity
TODOROVA (2007)?
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3. Theory Methodology
Interview based case study

• Core Technology Transfer Program (CTTP), a
  Korean government
• sponsored RD program, is my main target of
  analysis
• (22 principal participated researcher were
  interviewed)?

• In depth analysis of 4 representative projects
  under the program
• (in terms of commercial success or failure)?

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4. Empirical investigation
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4. Empirical investigation
How CTTP operate? systemic absorptive capacity
view
CTTP
Market
Technology Application
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4. Empirical investigation
Through the program (19932005)?

• 119 technologies acquired, US 40million spent
  by MOST

• About 2030 technologies are considered
  successful

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4. Empirical investigation
Case 1 LG air-con Whisen- Plasma coating
technology

• LG Electronics started air-conditioner business
  in 1968

• Until mid 1990s, LG air-con was just No.3 local
  player

• In 19961999, LG was developing new
  air-conditioner
• Whisen, applying Russian technologies
  through CTTP

• LG became world leader in 2000 with 11.6 market
  share

• LG Air-con Whisen is 8 consecutive years world
  market leader
• with 19.6 market share in 2007

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4. Empirical investigation
Case 1 LG air-con Whisen- Plasma coating
technology
CTTP
Whisen
Technology Application
Technology Acquisition (Transforming)?
Gov. Office In Russia
KIST
LG
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4. Empirical investigation
Case 1 LG air-con Whisen- Plasma coating
technology
Coating material
plasma gas is injected Vacuum space
Metal

• Characteristic of metal can be changed to
  hydrophile property
• (favorable water) or to the opposite

• LG applied this to the surface of heat exchanger
  of whisen so
• that it could improve cooling remarkably
  while reducing noise
• and electricity consumption

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5. Findings
Key findings from interviews
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5. Findings
Comparison of Technology transfer between Russia
the triad
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5. Findings

• Win-win mode of cooperative relationship should
  be built to
• sustain such kind of collaborative activities

• Bridging and integrating role of public RD
  institutes is more
• effective when firms have clear specific
  technological needs.

• Not only to find appropriate technologies and
  partners, but also,
• integrate and transform the those technology
  into own capabilities

• Effective communication among actors is key to
  strengthen the
• systemic absorptive capacity