Exploring Industrial Knowledge Flow for Identifying Technological Development Strategy: The Case of Korea’s TFT-LCD Industry

Abstract

Korea’s technological achievement in the thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) industry became possible primarily through a catch-up strategy in technological development. Through qualitative and quantitative analyses of the Korean TFT-LCD industry’s knowledge management, the researchers highlight the strategies that key Korean firms utilized to enable a successful technological catch-up. On a national level, patent citation information is analyzed to evaluate the Korean industry’s technological knowledge position compared to other Asian countries. Results from this analysis indicate that Korea plays a central role within the knowledge network, as evidenced by the highest centrality value. On a firm level, Samsung and LG Display are investigated in the areas of technological development and manufacturing strategies. Samsung and LG Display show strength in the technological specialization of devices’ arrangements/optical operation and arrangement/circuits of control indicating devices. In addition, these two firms show more diversification to allow for new business opportunities. By integrating quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze the TFT-LCD industry on national and firm levels, this research demonstrates the industry’s trajectory with depth and precision. In addition, this study contributes a meaningful strengthening of analysis methods in technological knowledge management and provides successful management factors for new latecomers in the industry.