Knowledge exploitation and entrepreneurial activity in a regional innovation system: first adaption of RFID at Kumho Tire in GwangJu, Korea

ABSTRACT What characteristics make a firm more proactive to exploit knowledge and innovation? A company that adopts more cutting-edge technologies than its competitors distinguishes itself in terms of innovativeness. Here, we analyse and present a case of innovation at a specific company, which has implications for the pursuit of innovation in a regional innovation system. The case involves Kumho Tire (KT). The company was the first tyre manufacturer in the world to exploit radio-frequency identification. KT demonstrated institutional entrepreneurship that did not shy away from changing the rules and norms of the existing enterprises in a regional innovation system. In order to cope with the various dilemmas concerning knowledge exploitation, regional innovation policies and corporate entrepreneurship should be devised through diagnosing and monitoring of regional knowledge flows and open innovation.

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