Dynamic patterns of technological innovation in magnesium alloys in the Korean automotive industry

Materials innovation is an important factor for industrial competitiveness and success. This study investigates materials innovation from organisational and technological perspectives, in the case of magnesium alloys in the Korean automotive industry. The patent citation network (2003-2014; Korean Intellectual Property Office) was employed, and centrality analysis and block modelling were performed: 1) organisational perspective: the demand from automotive organisations decreased over the timeframe examined, while the demand and supply from knowledge providers and materials organisations increased. The connections between automotive organisations and the other organisations decreased, while the connections between materials organisations and knowledge providers increased; 2) technological perspective: the role of materials technologies reduced, while the role of automotive technologies increased. There was a decrease in connections among materials technologies, and an increase in connections among automotive technologies. We relate these results to industry and policy changes in the Korean materials industry.