How Internal Capability and External Collaboration Influence Technological Development Using Information Processing in the Automotive Industry

Focusing on information processing in the auto industry's technology development, which is a corporate internal learning process, the present study investigated the effects of internal capability, external collaboration, and the decision-making method on technology learning through infor- mation processing, and subsequently on technology development. Data was collected from 64 small-and-medium-sized auto parts SMEs. The findings of the study are as follows: First, of the internal capability factors, existing technological capability negatively affected exploitative learning of outside information and adaptation learning, while core technology capability negatively affected unlearning. On the other hand, the CEO's technology development capability positively affected adaptation learning and learning and accumulation. Second, of the external collaboration system factors, joint development negatively affected the exploitative learning of outside information and adaptation learning, whereas industry-academy collaborative support positively affected both. Third, the decision-making method of auto parts companies did not significantly affect unlearning, the exploitative learning of outside information, adaptation learning, or learning and accumulation. Finally, of the information processing processes, only adaptation learning and learning and accumulation significantly affected technology learning, indicating that creativity and using spontaneous ideas facilitate technology development learning. In addition, technology learning was shown to significantly affect technology development in a positive direction, suggesting that to increase technology development, investment and efforts made at full capacity in relatively small-sized auto parts SMEs. KCI Citation Count: 2