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This study examines how R&D intensity and open innovation affect the technological capabilities of firms in newlydeveloped countries, such as South Korea. East Asian latecomers are transitioning from a catch-up phase toward becoming leaders, and they are engaging in open innovation activities to drive this transition. This research quantitatively analyzes three kinds of open innovation activities--outside-in, inside-out, and coupled--to investigate their influence upon technological capabilities, while also considering the effect of R&D intensity. Data from 75 South Korean medium-sized firms were analyzed, and two major findings are reported. First, technological capabilities are enhanced by some open innovation activities and by R&D intensity. Second, R&D intensity negatively moderates the impact of open innovation activities on technological capabilities. Therefore, it may be concluded that firms with relatively low R&D intensity will gain the most benefit from increasing their open innovation activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes new strategies for the information technology (IT) industry in South Korea, provides objectives for the South Korean IT industry and articulates the roles of the Korean government agencies, companies and users. Specifically, it covers South Korean IT strategies employed during several periods, including a stagnant period and a more recent period reflecting new successful IT environments of developed countries. South Korean IT companies should recognize the importance of user interface and user experience technologies as a next key global IT industry trend. Raising this awareness is critical in increasing the global competitiveness of the Korean IT industry. Furthermore, South Korean government agencies should take more active role in constructing and improving interactive environments that would benefit both companies and users. For future research, it is imperative to investigate the specific roles of companies, users and government agencies with respect to IT usage. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: “Green Growth” and “Sustainability” are now keywords for industrial growth engines. This research examines the economic, environmental, and technological feasibility of hybrid systems by simulating a system composed of renewable energy, an existing grid system, and a diesel generator on Jeju Island in South Korea. Korea depends heavily on oil imports. Thus, in Korea, efficient energy management is imperative. For this reason, the current Korean administration is striving to improve its energy infrastructure with the construction of stable energy supplies and reliable systems the implementation of energy policies, such as smart grids, and the diffusion of renewable energy generation sources. This study finds that the most economically feasible hybrid system is a grid-connected wind turbine–photovoltaic–battery–converter hybrid system. Given the economic feasibility of this hybrid system, implementing it would decrease the price of electricity in Jeju. Both the implications and limitations of this study will be discussed in the last section of this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: With recent developments of many significant social problems in South Korea, such as the national blackout events of the nuclear plants components in the South Korean energy industry due to use of low-quality parts, citizens have begun asking tough questions about the country's energy industry in connection to economic, security, and environment. In regards to this same issue, there is rapidly growing interest in renewable energy technologies to reduce the potential problems with traditional energy plants. Among many kinds of renewable energy technologies, solar energy technologies have been considered as one of the most promising energy technologies in South Korea by many energy experts. However, the amount of electricity and energy provided by solar energy technologies constitutes only a small percentage of the total energy production in South Korea. Therefore, in this study, we explored the factors that have a significant effect on the intentions of the public to use solar energy technologies. The results from applying a structural equation modeling method to the integrated research model indicated that three positive factors comprising of system quality, perceived benefits, and trust, significantly contributed to determining the public's attitude toward solar energy technologies. The intention to use the technologies was also determined by two positive variables (public attitude and satisfaction) and one negative variable (perceived cost). Based on the empirical findings of the current study, both implications and suggestions are presented and discussed in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]