후발 중소 SW 기업의 경로개척형 기술추격: 마이다스아이티와 인피니트헬스케어의 우회추격과 국제화

This paper investigates path-creating technological catch-up and internationalization of two Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), i.e., Midas IT and Infinitt Healthcare. Applying a sectoral systems of innovation and window of opportunity lens, it analyzes sectoral traits of the applied SW industry and the dynamic technological catch-up process and internationalization of the latecomers. The findings show that the case firms' flexible replication, technologically imitative learning, and technological following-up strategies contributed to their achievement on initial success to enter the market. During this stage, digitization paradigm and government policy intervention become windows of opportunity for the case firms. Our case studies illustrate that Midas IT and Infinitt Healthcare strategically pursued internationalization whilst acquiring technological knowledge and skills through strategic alliances with leading firms and aggressive M&As. Furthermore, product innovation-focused R&D allows them to catch-up by detouring instead of following the path of the industry incumbents. This research shows the importance of understanding key characteristics of sectoral systems of innovation, and economic and technological actors' proper strategic responses to them.