1st Edition

Managing Convergence in Innovation The new paradigm of technological innovation

Edited By Kong-Rae Lee Copyright 2017
    150 Pages 42 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    166 Pages 42 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Technology in several forms, especially Information Technology (IT), has a strong tendency to converge at varying degrees. This phenomenon of converging innovation is likely to deepen and widen in the future due to intense competition in global markets. Asian manufacturing firms in particular lead the global industrial innovation. Convergent innovation exists as a constant disequilibrium between reference technology and matching technology; innovations of these technologies occur at different degrees to attain an optimal balance.

    Innovations as a result of convergence are often beneficial, improving welfare and employment. This book sheds light on the little-discussed idea of convergent innovation with examples hailing from Asia. The book also proposes new theories and investigates convergence at the micro level – guaranteed food for thought for academics interested in innovation economics and management.

    1. Introduction (Kong-rae Lee)

    Part I: How Firms Learn and Diffuse

    2. Changes in Modes of Technological Learning (Fumio Kodama, Yukihiko Nakata and Tamotsu Shibata)

    3. Innovations and Networks (George Barnett)

    Part II: How to Navigate Convergence Innovation

    4. Convergence Innovation in the Management of Large Firms: Samsung Electronics (Jong-Yong Yun and Changsu Kim)

    5. Convergence and Diversity in Korea: Moving from Catching Up to Forging Ahead (W. Edward Steinmueller)

    Part III: Convergence Innovation in Asian Countries and Industries

    6. Sector and Country Differences in Convergence Innovation: Comparisons with Korea, China, Japan and Taiwan (Kong-rae Lee and Guktae Kim)

    7. Convergence Innovation in Specialized Textile Machinery Suppliers in Korea (Kong-rae Lee)

    8. Convergence Innovation in City Innovation System: Railway Technology Case in Malaysia (Chan-Yuan Wong)

    9. Summary and Policy Implications (Kong-rae Lee)

    Biography

    Kong-rae Lee is Chair Professor of the Management of Innovation (MOI) Program at DGIST. He received his PhD from SPRU, University of Sussex, UK. He was a research fellow of the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), Korea and served as head of the policy division and member of the Korea Academy of Science and Technology (KAST). He also served as policy advisor to Minister of Science and Technology, the Republic of Korea in 1995. His research areas are national, regional and industrial innovation systems, and mega science policies. He has published many books and articles, including the book The Source of Capital Goods Innovation in 1998.

    'This book lays out a convincing perspective on managing convergence innovation at various levels. It brings together a range of new studies of convergence innovation, and goes beyond the limits of existing evidence, concepts and theories and shows precisely how convergence functions within the firm, industry and economy. The chapters contained in the book reveal the nature of convergence innovation and the ways in which it is transforming businesses, products and entire industries. It is sure that science and technology entities including governments can learn how to master convergence innovation and illustrate, in depth, the networks and communications needed to support convergence from this book.' -- KunMo Chung, former Minister of Science and Technology, The Republic of Korea

    'The book presents analytical results of the convergence processes by individuals, organizations and countries. It particularly includes convergence processes in the management of Samsung Electronics that has led digital revolution and became a world-leading firm. It also introduces how Samsung successfully managed convergence processes and provides many insights to locked-in organizations pursuing convergence innovation. This book should be read not only by innovation scholars who are in universities and research institutes, but also by practitioners who are in private companies and bridging agencies.' -- Hyun-dae Cho, President of Korean Society for Innovation Management and Economics (KOSIME), The Republic of Korea

    'This book is a must read for scholars, policy makers, entrepreneurs and corporate executives who are interested in convergence innovation. It provides concrete examples of convergence innovation in firms, industries and countries. This well balanced book displays a very sophisticated framework to understanding the process and management of convergence innovation.' -- Shin Sung-chul, President of Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), The Republic of Korea

    'Based on a profound theoretical understanding of the process of convergence innovation and careful and creative methodologies, this book provides a broad discussion on convergence innovation and its management. The manuscript is original, relevant and impressive, and makes an important contribution to the innovation literature. This book should be read by anyone concerned about how to help an organization, region, or country manage their convergence processes and increase outcomes.' -- Patarapong Intarakumnerd, Professor of National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Japan