The Difference in the Determinants of Licensing-in and Licensing-out: Evidence from Korean Firms

Purpose – This paper aims to analyze the determinants of licensing behaviors of manufacturing firms empirically in non-advanced exporting countries. Research design and methodology – We try to approach licensing behavior from the perspective of innovation strategy and open innovation, and deal with two activities composing licensing, i.e. licensing-in and licensing-out using the result of Korean Innovation Survey Results – Firstly, Organizational characteristic factors, particularly the size and size related factors influence the firm behavior of licensing-out, but not in case of licensing-in. Secondly, innovation strategy influences the firm behavior of licensing-in, but not in case of licensing-out. Lastly, the determinants of licensing-in and that of licensing-out are different. Conclusions – In general, firms doing licensing–out have many complementary assets and orientation for global markets. Meanwhile, firms doing licensing-in are innovative firms utilizing patent as an appropriation mechanism. Licensing–out have relevance with product market-related factors and licensing-in have more relevance with technology market-related factors