Innovation strategy and leadership dynamics in a technology-intensive industry: evidence from South Korea

In a technology-intensive industry, the evolution of innovation strategy and how latecomers contend and frontrunners sustain leadership is truly a dynamic process. This paper explores this issue in depth in the technology-intensive semiconductor DRAM and attempts to marry the traditional discussions of the technological catch-up of latecomer firms with the view regarding complementary assets. The traditional 'flying geese' theory can explain only part of the more than 30 year history of this rapidly-growing innovation-based industry until the recent challenge by Korean firms. This study also discusses why certain catching-up DRAM firms have contended for market leadership and have sustained it in a globally competitive environment. We find some key dynamics such as interactions between core technologies and specific complementary assets under the institutional support that are playing key roles in the sustainability of the firms' leadership status.