The purpose of this study is to investigate the patterns of technological innovation behavior of LDC by the technological development stage and industry classification.
While DCs have developed technologies mostly by their own R&D Effort, LDCs have acquired technologies from foreign sources. The different technological environment between DCs and LDCs call for new theories/models suitable for LDCs' technological development patterns.
This new concept required should include the linkage between DCs and LDCs, dynamic pattern of technological development and all sources of technical information - that is, not only formal technology transfer, but also non-formal ways - which LDCs use. Moreover, as each industry follows different technological development process, the model should include differences between industries.
Based on the new global model of technological development patterns in LDC, a set of hypotheses are developed considering the development stage and technological types. Data are collected through interviews and mail questionnaires from Korean electronic industry, Total samples are composed of 32 innovation projects : 15 are parts which use established technology, 9 are industrial goods which use established technology and 8 are industrial goods which use emerging technology.
Major findings of the study are as follows :
1. Most innovation projects were developed with reference foreign products and of the product characteristics are well known. But there are differences of determinateness contingent upon technology.
2. Industrial goods of emerging new technology utilized local research institutions; industrial goods with established technology relied on formal technology transfer; and parts with established technology used non-formal technology transfer.
3. Innovations with established technology improve their quality, design and cost during innovation projects while emerging technology mainly attempts to acquire technological know-why embedded in the products.
