A comparative study of technological learning and organizational capability development in complex products systems: Distinctive paths of three latecomers in military aircraft industry

• Published in: Research policy Vol. 44; no. 7; pp. 1296 - 1313
• Main Authors: Lee, Joosung J., Yoon, Hyungseok
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.09.2015; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Subjects: Brazil; China; Comparative studies; Complex products systems; Complex systems; Latecomer technological learning; Latin America; Learning; Military aircraft; Military aircraft industry; Military industrial complex; Organization development; Organizational behaviour; Public policy; Research and development; Social policy; South Korea; Technology acquisition; Technology transfer; Brazil; South Korea; China; Complex products systems; Military aircraft industry; Technology acquisition; Latecomer technological learning
• ISSN: 0048-7333; 1873-7625
• DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2015.03.007

•Investigated different patterns of technological learning in latecomers’ complex product systems development.•Compared technological learning patterns in military aircraft development by Brazil, China, and South Korea.•Technological learning patterns are shaped by available knowledge-base and role of foreign partners.•Technological alliance and private sector responsibility enabled Korea’s success in CoPS development.•Strategic, functional and project initiatives serve as groundwork for latecomers’ technological learning. This paper identifies different patterns of latecomers’ technological learning in developing complex products systems (CoPS). The experiences of South Korea, China, and Brazil in military aircraft development are compared to explain the learning process in attaining indigenous technological capability. The military aircraft development programs involving international technology transfer agreements have been documented to investigate the technological learning patterns. We find different technology acquisition modes determined by latecomers’ focus of knowledge-base: technological for “make” and production for “buy”. We also find that these modes may influence the process of learning-by-doing. In addition, we find how the role of foreign partners influences technology acquisition mode. Whereas an active role results in co-production or co-development arrangement, a passive role leads to the vitalization of reverse engineering. We also shed light on the role of government policy initiatives that facilitate technological learning. Lastly, this paper extensively documented the successful technological learning in South Korea’s T-50 and Brazil’s AMX joint venture projects.