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Institutional capabilities and technology upgrading: The case of the nuclear industry in Korea

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  • Choung, Jae-Yong
  • Hwang, Hye-Ran

Abstract

This article explores the development process of regulatory innovation during the stages of upgrading innovation based technology for late industrialized countries. Using three cases of complex products in the nuclear industry, with special reference to (South) Korea, we investigate the regulatory innovation and formation process between regulators and developers. Although exploratory, this study shows that when the technical characteristics of a product are similar to those of existing platforms, minor institutional innovation is settled easily. On the contrary, as the discontinuity of a product technology increases, it becomes more likely that the lock-in effect of existing institutional schemes will hinder innovation. This paper contributes to the technology upgrading literature by highlighting the considerable importance of institutional capabilities.

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  • Choung, Jae-Yong & Hwang, Hye-Ran, 2019. "Institutional capabilities and technology upgrading: The case of the nuclear industry in Korea," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 284-294.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:145:y:2019:i:c:p:284-294
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2018.06.028
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    1. Paulo N. Figueiredo & Janaina Piana, 2021. "Technological learning strategies and technology upgrading intensity in the mining industry: evidence from Brazil," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(3), pages 629-659, June.
    2. Yoruk, Esin & Radosevic, Slavo & Fischer, Bruno, 2023. "Technological profiles, upgrading and the dynamics of growth: Country-level patterns and trajectories across distinct stages of development," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(8).

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