Title: Dynamic patterns of technological innovation in magnesium alloys in the Korean automotive industry

Authors: Yong Jin Kim; Duk Hee Lee

Addresses: Chemistry Information Team, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34114, South Korea ' School of Business and Technology Management, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, South Korea

Abstract: Materials innovation is an important factor for industrial competitiveness and success. This study investigates materials innovation from organisational and technological perspectives, in the case of magnesium alloys in the Korean automotive industry. The patent citation network (2003-2014; Korean Intellectual Property Office) was employed, and centrality analysis and block modelling were performed: 1) organisational perspective: the demand from automotive organisations decreased over the timeframe examined, while the demand and supply from knowledge providers and materials organisations increased. The connections between automotive organisations and the other organisations decreased, while the connections between materials organisations and knowledge providers increased; 2) technological perspective: the role of materials technologies reduced, while the role of automotive technologies increased. There was a decrease in connections among materials technologies, and an increase in connections among automotive technologies. We relate these results to industry and policy changes in the Korean materials industry.

Keywords: materials industry; automotive industry; technology management; technological innovation; materials innovation; technology spillover; organisational perspective; technological perspective; social network analysis; patent citations; patent citation network; magnesium alloys; Korea.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2022.124611

International Journal of Technology Management, 2022 Vol.90 No.1/2, pp.28 - 53

Accepted: 03 Nov 2021
Published online: 29 Jul 2022 *

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