Competitive Strategies of a Korean SME in the Pharmacy Automation Industry: A Case of JVM

This case study is on JVM, a small and medium-sized medical equipment manufacturer in Korea. This study is designed to introduce the strategies conducted by JVM and to analyze how the company was able to become the market leader in the pharmacy automation industry once dominated by the large Japanese corporations. Developing technological competitiveness, protecting intellectual property rights with more than 300 patents, going on a partnership with established local distributors, and providing immediate customer support based on the corporate philosophy of a customer-first principle are suggested as the key competitive strategies of JVM. We argue that such strategies have contributed to the success of the company in the global market. We expect that the case of JVM provides an important strategic implication for Korean SMEs, which seek to develop business competitiveness and to expand globally.