지리적 근접성과 지식네트워크가 기술개발성과에 미치는 영향

Abstract

Research on social networks of small and medium sized industry outside Korea has been conducted based on the assumption that universities, research centers, and industries have established strong relationship ties through active social networks utilizing geographical proximity. However, small and medium sized industry in Korea is under the circumstances where they need to establish and activate networks for themselves. Therefore, their strategy for utilizing networks has shown different characteristics from those of clusters in developed countries. Specifically, although clusters have been established based on geographical proximity to promote knowledge exchanges, industries, related organizations, and th e companies in the same business rather work together regardless of proximity forming knowledge networks such as consortium, industry-academia collaboration, etc. (Kim, 1997). Therefore, the present study attempted to investigate the actual effects of geographical proximity and knowledge network on industry communication and to explore their strategic use for technology development performance. Based on the claim in Ganesan et al. (2005) that geographical proximity is related to knowledge acquisition, the following research questions were generated for the study to investigate in Korean situations. First, how does geographical proximity affect knowledge networks, technological knowledge development, communication, and pursuit of collaborative activities? Second, how do knowledge networks affect knowledge networks, technological knowledge development, communication, and pursuit of collaborative activities? Third, how does communication affect technological knowledge development and pursuit of collaborative activities? Fourth, how do technological knowledge development, communication, and pursuit of collaborative activities affect technology development performance? The data of the study was collected by surveying managers, directors, supervisors, and technology development managers of the firms in industry parks nationwide by visiting them or sending mail. SPSS 12.0 and LISREL were utilized in the analysis of the data. The findings of the study are as follows: First, geographical proximity had a significant effect on knowledge network. The results indicate that the cluster projects that are strategically promoted by the government have a spreading effect on the companies selectively establishing various knowledge networks. That is, the companies within certain proximity can acquire necessary information more effectively and have access to knowledge networks they need more easily. Second, geographical proximity showed a significant effect on technological knowledge development, communication, and general knowledge learning. On the other hand, knowledge network only affected communication. The results show that geographical proximity plays a more important role than knowledge networks in incurring communications with related organizations directly. Third, communication was shown to affect technological knowledge development and general knowledge learning. The results indicate the importance of establishing constant communication channels with partners, through which they can build up trust. In the long run, companies can get practical help by having relationships with related government organizations, research centers, and other companies in the same business with their diversity. Fourth, Technological knowledge development and pursuit of collaborative activities affected technological knowledge development, but not communication. The results imply that although maintaining communication with partners can be a very good strategy, technological knowledge development can lead to technological development performance mediated by the process of enhancing capacity through communication. Theoretical and practical implications from the study are as follows: First, previous research in the overseas has centered on the process of enhancing capacity such as knowledge acquisition through strong relationship networks. On the other hand, the research interest in Korea has been in the bottom-up paradigm that utilizes clusters according to the government policy. However, unlike these previous studies the present study shows that domestic small and medium sized industry, which, in general, has established rather weak social networks with related resource organizations, strategically utilize knowledge networks regardless of geographical proximity. Second, unlike the cases in other countries, domestic clustered areas called an industry park have poor research infrastructure and industry-academia collaboration systems, leading to poor performance. Therefore, the findings of the present study suggest the important role of a mediator who can effectively encourage participating in knowledge networks using the local buzz phenomenon that occurs in the local cluster. Third, the results of the present study confirm that knowledge networks have a greater effect on communication than geographical proximity. The results indicate that although communication with partners occurs based on geographical proximity, it is the efforts by the related government organization to establish strategic knowledge networks that activate communications between partners. Therefore, from the perspective of companies, which are in need to pick and choose, in the long run it could be more beneficial, in terms of getting a greater synergy effect, to utilize knowledge networks effectively although maintaining mutually beneficial relationships between partners within geographical proximity can have an advantage in the short run. Fourth, the present study shows the important role of communication in establishing stronger relationship ties and better performance. Most domestic small and medium sized industry interact with related organizations and different industries within geographical proximity. They also interact with universities and other companies in the same industry through consortiums and industry-academia collaboration, taking advantage of the strengths of each strategy. Nevertheless, they are often engaged in a short-term relationship with these organizations only until a certain research project is over, overlooking the importance of lasting relationship ties. In other cases, although industry wants a long-term relationship in order to make profits, there are not proper channels through which they can maintain the relationship with related organizations. Thus, it is necessary for the industry to exert efforts to have close networks with related organizations, taking the long-term perspective. At the same time, the government should work as a mediator setting up systematic relational networks so that companies can be connected to and interact with related resource organizations.