Innovation in manufacturing: teleservice as an environment-friendly manufacturing concept in Korea

Many companies and governments have been seeking to improve manufacturing and environmental performance simultaneously. Teleservice concept is a new, environment-friendly manufacturing concept that can meet this purpose. We defined the teleservice as a new service concept of manufacturing companies that resulted from the integration of telecommunications into manufacturing and service activities. However, this concept receives little attention from both academia and industry in Korea and its potentials are not fully utilised. Therefore, we reviewed the Korean-specific frame environment for teleservice and analysed a representative firm case in a Korean-specific context. Our findings can be applied at both government and company level. First of all, it is important to diffuse the concept of teleservice as one of an environment-friendly competitive tool among the manufacturing industry. The teleservice application should be an evolutionary process in which existing low-level technologies can be utilised successfully. We recommend that a technology policy for teleservice should be diffusion-oriented rather than mission-oriented. Finally, user-friendly teleservice-related technologies should be developed to ensure better applicability in business.