The Current Transition in Management of Technology Education: The Case of Korea

Abstract

Although South Korea’s MOT (Management of Technology) education was begun early in the country’s industrialization process and is contributing significantly to the fast growth of the Korean economy, its unique features and value have not been well publicized in international society. Since 2008, Korean MOT education has undergone significant changes and entered into a new phase in its development. In this study, we explain how Korean MOT education has been developing in alignment with changes in Korean industry. We then describe some new directions Korean MOT education is currently adopting. These new directions are transforming industry’s innovation characteristics from process to product, from high-tech to high-touch, from productivity to creativity, from manufacturing to service, and toward increased entrepreneurial venture creation. To achieve these new transitions, Korean MOT education has employed three key principles: dual focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, multidisciplinary problem solving, and balance between theory and practice. New changes in program tracks, curricula, courses, student profiles, and organizational structure that are based on these three principles of Korean MOT education are also discussed.

Keywords: Management of Technology education, South Korea, Industry Transition, Entrepreneurship, Multidisciplinary

JEL Classification: I21