With the emergence of third-generation R&D concept, the integration and partnership between business units and R&D units in terms of strategy, organization and activities has become a pending issue. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the linking mechanism of the technology development system in a firm.
First, the linking mechanisms of the strategies and the organizations in a firm are analyzed by the in-depth case studies which include four Japanese firms (Toshiba, NEC, Sony, Sharp) and three Korean firms(A, B, C).
Second, the linking mechanisms of the research and development process are analyzed by the case studies at the project level. In-depth case studies are performed for five projects completed in the corporate research laboratory of Korean firm A(A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5).
The results of this thesis are as follows; First, The linking mechanisms between business strategy and technology strategy in a firm are studied according to Frohman's four stage model. Detailed measure to check the degree of linkages are developed and implemented for seven case firms. The degrees of linkage for each firm are evaluated and represented by the radar chart. Also total score for each firm are ranked and interpreted.
Second, The organizational linking mechanisms between a corporate research laboratory and strategic business units are studied based on the newly developed measures for seven case firms. The analysis shows that organizational linkages in terms of planning and implementation mechanism are well established, while those in organizational infrastructure are weak in case firms. Also organizational linkages in Japanese firms outperform those in Korean firms.
Third, the linking mechanisms of the research and development process are studied by analyzing the dynamic process of the commercialization for five projects carried out in the corporate research laboratory of firm A. As a result, the key success factors for process linkage such as product competence, technology innovation, resource availability, and top's support are found.
Finally, the action plans and the R&D strategies of a firm for future development are proposed. It is necessary for a firm to have the linking mechnanism by its own style in relation to the strategies and oraganizational characteristics to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of R&D activities. The results of this study will be useful to measure the degree of linking mechanism in a firm qualitatively, and to devleop new direction for third generation R&D system.
