Learning and Innovation in Economic Development: (New Horizons in the Economics of Innovation series)

In this carefully chosen selection of essays, Linsu Kim - one of Korea's foremost social scientists, who is advising the Korean government on reform strategy in light of the recent crisis - identifies the evolutionary processes and patterns of learning, capability building, and innovation in catch-up countries. He suggests that catch-up economies display different patterns of learning and innovation to more advanced countries.Using the example of Korea, he examines industries such as consumer electronics, machinery, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and semiconductors, all of which have been important contributors to Korea's economic growth and development. Linsu Kim analyses both the formal and informal mechanisms Korea has used in acquiring technologies from, mainly, advanced countries. He considers how these technologies are assimilated rapidly into the local economy, and in some cases improved to increase Korea's international competitiveness. This examination and extension of the theory of learning and innovation has many useful implications for both catch-up economies and also advanced countries. It offers analytical frameworks which policymakers and managers can use in formulating and evaluating public policies and corporate strategies. Learning and Innovation in Economic Development will be of interest to a wide audience including those working in the fields of technology management, innovation studies and development economics.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Introduction Part I: Learning and Innovation in Industries 1. ‘Stages of Development of Industrial Technology in a Developing Country: A Model’ 2. ‘Innovation in a Newly Industrializing Country: A Multiple Discriminant Analysis’ 3. ‘Reflections on The Republic of Korea’s Acquisition of Technological Capability’ 4. ‘Innovation Strategy of Local Pharmaceutical Firms in Korea: A Multivariate Analysis’ 5. ‘Patterns of Technological Change in a Rapidly Developing Country: A Synthesis’ 6. ‘Pros and Cons of International Technology Transfer: A Developing Country’s View’ 7. ‘The Dynamics of Samsung’s Technological Learning in Semiconductors’ 8. ‘Crisis Construction and Organizational Learning: Capability Building in Catching-up at Hyundai Motor’ Part II: National System and Public Policy 9. ‘Technology Policy for Industrialization: An Integrative Framework and Korea’s Experience’ 10. ‘National System of Industrial Innovation: Dynamics of Capability Building in Korea’ 11. ‘The Dynamics of R&D in Industrial Development: Lessons from the Korean Experience’ 12. ‘Absorptive Capacity and Industrial Growth: A Conceptual Framework and Korea’s Experience’ Index

About the Author :
The late Linsu Kim, formerly Professor of Management, Korea University and Chairman, Government Reform Council, South Korea

Review :
'Learning and Innovation in Economic Development is an ideal read for newcomers to the subject, as well as those who consider themselves experts in this field. . . the book provides a detailed commentary on how Korea has successfully industrialized over a relatively short period of time, as well as what possible lessons this may have been for other developing countries. . . given the attempts of developing countries to "catch up" with developed ones, this book will appeal to policymakers and practitioners who are involved in research and development. . . this book will also appeal to economic historians and development economists who are interested in NICs.' 'Kim being one of the leading scholars on the theme of the book and on Korea, there can hardly be any comment on the quality and content of the articles. Through this book the job of the upcoming researcher in the field of science policy and innovation studies made a lot easier. It is also one of the good starters for scholars studying the innovation in the developing countries. . . The presentation and organisation of the articles make the book interesting to read.' 'Linsu Kim is one of the most perceptive scholars of economic development in general, and the development of Korea in particular. This book brings together a collection of his most important, and interesting articles. Together they form a fascinating and powerful book on the nature of the economic development process in countries like Korea that have been very successful at it.'