Since 1990, Korean printer industry takes a chance to achieve a successful growth for the increase of the domestic market demand. But, due to the opening of the domestic printer market, the Korean printer industry has recently faced to the great crisis that should compete with the worldwide best companies such as HP and Canon. Therefore, the most emergent issue is to accomplish the competitiveness of Korean printer industry.
The purpose of this study is to suggest strategies for securing competitiveness of Korean printer industry. This study is focused on the strategy of firm and the role of government. For the conclusion, we studied the following points :
1) What is the key success factor in printer industry?
2) What is the competitive advantage of successful firms in printer industry?
3) What is the competitive advantage of Korean firms in printer industry relative to successful firms?
4) What is the strategy of Korean firms and the role of government for securing competitiveness of Korean printer industry?
Through this study, we are suggesting the following strategies : On the strategy of the firm,
1) Using the capability of manufacturing technology on Laser printer or Inkjet printer, Korean firms have to go on OEM business successfully with the best firm like HP. In a short term, it is important for us to accomplish the scale of economy through the stable order quantity.
2) We should consider the global manufacturing system for improving the manufacturing cost structure.
3) We should make every effort to acquire the core technology like inkjet printer head. For that goal, we can develop the core technology through cooperative R&D for saving the investment and time.
4) We should develop the products with new concept like video printer and MFP(multifuctional product) through technology fusion.
5) Overcoming the inferiority of the resource and capability, each firm should concentrate the resource on the certain product.
6) For constructing the entry barrier against the foreign firms, it is important to differentiate the distribution channel and service network in domestic market.
7) Joining the cooperative project with advanced firms for the establishment of industrial standard, we should cope with the change of industrial environment. So, we can build up the foundation which make us lead to the future technology.
On the role of the government,
1) The government should encourage firms to lead the cooperate R&D in order to develop the core component as Laser scanning unit & inkjet printer head.
2) The government should aggressively sponsor R&D activities of firms in supporting industry by funding or providing human resources.
