Benchmarking open and cluster innovation: case of Korea

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine a development model of the Korean IT industry based on the concept of open and cluster innovation and reveal the synergistic effects between the textile and electronic industries. Design/methodology/approach – The analytical data on the Gumi Cluster are panel data mostly from the 1970s‐2000s. The specific case studies are based on the field research and in‐depth executive interviews for four firms. Findings – Through analysis of the innovation structure of the Gumi Cluster, the paper found that the Korean electronics industry has successfully caught up with first movers like the Japanese and US electronics industries. In this catch‐up process, industrial clusters of the Korean electronic industry took on an open cluster and sought open and cluster innovation through collaborating with foreign firms and the other industries like the textile industry for making a rapid catch‐up. Research limitations/implications – The contribution of this study is to highlight the essential characteristics of cluster innovation and the practical growth patterns in the context of Korea which has achieved rapid technological catch‐up. Future studies may involve the innovation patterns of other industries. Originality/value – Prior cluster research does not necessarily integrate the two streams of research: development of national industries; open innovation processes within the clusters. This paper represents a unique approach to integrate two streams through analyzing the electronic industry.