Industrial technology innovation management for sustained prosperity: True stories revealing the complexity of replicating South Korean success

The basic premise of this "perspective" essay is an observed persistent desire of many South and South-East Asian developing nations to acquire economic prosperity by directly emulating the South Korean "Selective Industrial Technology Innovation Induced Sustainable Economic Development" success model. Alas, this aspiration so far remained a mirage. To explain the inherent "problematic" associated with economic development using an imitation strategy, true stories are presented in this essay that shine on inadequate "cultural" interventions in national techno-economic development work. Recurring observations by Sharif brought to his mind that most country programs have generally been executed by focusing solely on the aspired model "mechanics" without necessary robust attention to the underlying principle of creating an "innovation culture/climate" as rock-bottom foundation mound for implementing sustainable development plans. To reveal some validity of this assertion, Sharif presents in this perspective essay "ten true stories" that he personally studied for two decades. The stories are: (1) True Story on Suspicion and Disrespect; (2) True Story on Mindset Constraint; (3) True Story on Caring for the Weak; (4) True Story of Super Achievers; (5) True Story on Failure to Follow Through; (6) True Story on 'Turn Right' into the River; (7) True Story of Motherly Protection; (8) True Story of Supreme Commitment; (9) True Story of KIST and MOST Illusion; and (10) True Story on Plan Implementation. Though these stories are a little dated, similar condition is still observed to be prevailing in many parts of the world. So, it is sincerely hoped that the extensive experience based lessons learned and noted pitfalls that need to be avoided might give useful guidance for all developing nations of the world having similar action agenda.