Contents

I. Introduction

II. Historical Overview of Technology Transfer

III. Main Features and Characteristics

IV. The Case of the Korean Electronics Industry

V. Implications and Challenges

VI. Concluding Remarks

References

It is often said that many Asian countries have followed the Japanese model of industrial and technology policy. Among these Asian countries, Korea has been regarded as the most faithful follower of the Japanese model. This paper reviews the Korean technology transfer of the past and compares it with the Japanese experience, and points out the similarities and differences between them. It also draws some implications and lessons that may be considered by other Asian countries for developing their own technology transfer strategies.
Technology is transferred through various channels and by many different agents. The paper first reviews these channels and agents, and then a brief comparison between Korea and Japan in technology trade and R&D is introduced. Although various forms of technology transfer are considered, licensing is discussed more often than others in this paper. Since Korea's outward technology transfer is negligible, only inward technology transfer is discussed here. Having reviewed the historical evolution of technology development and transfer, the main features and characteristics of the process are pointed out. In order to gain some insights, technology transfer in the Korean electronics industry is examined in more detail. Finally, the paper discusses the challenges ahead for korea and makes some suggestions for Korea and other Asian developing countries.

Ⅰ. TitleA Study of Measures for Strengthening Science and Technology Cooperation between Korean and the U.S.

Ⅱ. Purpose and Importance of the Study

This study was designed to research various measures and future tasks to strengthen science and technology cooperation between Korea and the U.S. More specifically, the study focused on the establishment of cooperation systems in the areas of mutual interests for R&D cooperation such as semiconductor equipments and devices and HDTV; and collaborative R&D in large R&D sectors in which the U.S. has strengths such as aerospace, environment, biotechnology, and atomic power. Also, encouragement of collaborative basic research based on mutual understanding and major tasks such as commercialization of R&D results were studied.

As economic and technological competition increases, each country strives to enhance its technological capability in order to strengthen its international competitiveness. Thus, it has become Korea's urgent task to strengthen its own competitiveness through active technology transfer and the development of indigenous technological capability.

In this context, the result of this study is expected to contribute to the advancement of R&D and technological innovation in Korea through the exchange of research manpower and industrial technology cooperation with the U.S., which has first-rate technological capability and research manpower.

Ⅲ. Contents and Scope of the Study

In addition to the traditional research methods utilizing literature, field survey, interviews, etc., this study utilized the result of the Korea-U.S.

Science and Technology Cooperation Forum 2, which was held in Washington D.C. in May 1994. The forum was organized by KIEP and J.W.K. International and sponsored by KOSEF. Furthermore, four expert meetings were organized to discuss cooperation strategy and policies.

This study discusses the basic direction of science and technology cooperation between the two countries, with emphasis on the contribution of this kind of cooperation to the development of the Asia-Pacific region. Then, it reviews the history of science and technology cooperation between the two countries, policies for internationalization of national R&D, and measures for industrial technology cooperation in the private sector.

The main body of the study consists of discussions on science and technology cooperation in the areas of basic research in universities, atomic power, biotechnology, aerospace, telecommunications, semiconductors, IPR protection, etc.
The last part covers strategic alliances and the results of the round-up discussion.The scope of the study covers science and technology cooperation between the two countries since the 1960s, as well as medium-and long-term prospects.

Ⅳ. The Results of the Study and RecommendationsIn the process of the study implementation, a proposal to materialize the idea of establishing a foundation for Korea-U.S. science and technology cooperation was made during the Korea-U.S. Science and Technology Cooperation Forum 2. The study also includes various suggestions for Forum 3 and the proposed foundation, which can be considered by the organizers of these institutions.It is strongly recommended that both the Korean government and the private sector seriously take the above suggestions into consideration for the direction of cooperation in general and for exchanges of manpower, technology, and strategic alliances in particular.