Patterns of international technology acquisition in a post catch-up country: the case of Korean firms

This study aims to examine the use of international technology acquisition strategies in post catch-up countries, using the case of Korea. For this purpose, we collected a unique data set that describes technology acquisition activities in all Korean firms, from 2009 to 2011, as well as the basic characteristics of each firm. Eight unique acquisition patterns are specified through the self-organizing map (SOM), and a set of follow-up analyses are conducted to provide practical and discussible insights. Based on the eight patterns identified at the firm level, we argue that technology acquisition activities are diversified in post catch-up countries, relative to catch-up countries, with improvements of their internal capabilities. The research contributes to an expanded understanding of innovation strategies in the post catch-up context, and has practical implications that facilitate the innovation of firms in such countries, through international collaboration.