The impact of human capital research and development, technology management, and knowledge management on the innovation performance of employees of top Integrated Circuit (IC) design companies in Taiwan

• Main Author: Chen, Tse-Pin
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2009
• Subjects: Semiconductor industry > Taiwan; Integrated circuits; Employees > —Performance; Technology and Innovation
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_doctoral/252; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_doctoral/article/1251/viewcontent/CDTG004599_F_Partial.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

The country, Taiwan, is continuously working towards making its businesses at par, if not competitive, with the businesses of other countries in Europe, the United States, and Asia. One industry that has adopted this competitive mindset is the semiconductor industry. An industrial technology industry, the semiconductor industry in Taiwan has been considered as a fastest growing industry area. The manufacture of semiconductors entails some form of design. These designs are illustrated in the manufacture of chips, masks, and packaging and the processes involved in producing these products include designing, fabricating, wafering, probing, and dicing. Furthermore, physical traits, functional features, practical size, efficiency in chips, and durability are features that help create the products competitive advantage. To create this competitive advantage, there is the need to pursue an innovation mindset. From these important factors, specific variables can be identified. They are human capital, research and development, technology management, and knowledge management. It is, therefore, in this light, that the researcher studies the role of these specific variables in the innovation performance of employees of semiconductor companies in Taiwan. Moreover, the researcher will likewise look into how these factors contribute or affect the innovation performance of employees in the products produced and processes The Impact of Human Capital, Research and Development, Technology Management, and Knowledge Management on the Innovation Performance of Employees of Top IC Design Companies in Taiwan ix De La Salle University undertaken in selected Taiwanese semiconductor industries, more particularly, IC fabless companies. This research determined the impact/contribution/effect of specific variables like human capital, research and development, technology management, and knowledge management on the innovation performance of employees of selected integrated circuit design companies. More specifically, this study addressed the following questions: What is the respondents human capital profile with respect to their personal, professional, and personality profiles? To what extent did the respondents assess the implementation of research and development, technology management, and knowledge management by their companies? To what extent did these aforementioned variables affect the innovation performance of employees in these selected integrated circuit design companies? In assessing the number of companies in the semiconductor industry in Taiwan, the researcher limited its study on 262 fabless Taiwanese companies, more particularly the top ten, which include Mediatek, Novatek, Himax, VIA, Sunplus, Phison, Realtek, Etron, SIS, and Morning Star. In coming up with the sampling design for this study, the researcher used the stratified and random sampling techniques. The research instrument used in this study is the survey questionnaire. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher arrived at the following conclusions: There are more males than females working in the The Impact of Human Capital, Research and Development, Technology Management, and Knowledge Management on the Innovation Performance of Employees of Top IC Design Companies in Taiwan x De La Salle University research and development of IC fabless companies. More than 50% of the employees are young middle-aged individuals. Majority of the respondents possess post-graduate education. They occupy middle management positions and have been with the company less than five years. The respondents possess the traits of being trustworthy, creative, and adept. In relation to research and development, rewards and recognition are given to deserving employees who produced innovative results. New product design and development are given priority by the companies and financial support is given to projects undertaken by employees. In relation to technology management, fabrication of chips and wafers are continuously improved and operational processes are standardized for maximum productivity. In relation to knowledge management, the respondents companies identified individuals who possess ingenuity in conceptualizing or differentiating existing ideas, products or services. They draw out from their employees, cutting-edge competency asset skills like design and production. They document all trademarks, service marks, trade names, designs, logos, and symbols that are considered intellectual property and retain the employees responsible for these innovative outputs. As mentioned in the research study, three types of innovations were considered. They are minor improvements in their work tasks, of which sixtyThe Impact of Human Capital, Research and Development, Technology Management, and Knowledge Management on the Innovation Performance of Employees of Top IC Design Companies in Taiwan xi De La Salle University five of the 218 positive responses said that have achieved. Sixty- nine respondents stated that they have made redesigns. For new products/processes, 84 respondents responded that they have indeed attained this type of innovation. In summary, the significant independent variables for the dependent variable, product/process - slight improvement and minor revisions, are creative, All employees are encouraged to undertake researches on design of semiconductors (R1), and Accuracy is emphasized in every product and process research (R6), where the expected and actual relationships for these independent variables are positive. For redesign and differentiation (P2), the significant and expected positively related independent variables are individuals or groups of individuals who designed and prepared programmed softwares, manuals, operational instructions, methodologies and techniques (KR2), and creative while for developing new products (P3), the significant independent variables yielded all positive relationships as expected. Lastly, for number of patents, the explanatory variables, versatility in semiconductor products and processes is greatly preferred (R7), conduct of training on semiconductor products and processes (T6), ADAPTAB, SMART, and retaining employees who possess proactivity and adaptability do affect innovation performance (KR8) are all significant. The expected and actual relationships are all positive. The Impact of Human Capital, Research and Development, Technology Management, and Knowledge Management on the Innovation Performance of Employees of Top IC Design Companies in Taiwan xii De La Salle University The following recommendations are enumerated as follows: Proper documentation, periodic updates, and provision for revision due to obsolescence, needed improvements or replacements, should be regularly addressed. Retention of creative and smart employees can be achieved by giving respect and appreciation to knowledge asset individuals and providing them an opportunity for professional development. These include growth and development activities like sending employees to training, seminars, and workshops to hone their skills and creativity and encouraging them to pursue higher technical or formal studies. Create an atmosphere of research by prioritizing new product design and development that will, at the least, result in achieving small innovations. Emphasize accuracy, experimentation, and the use of information technology to hasten the process of product/process innovation. Conduct further studies on other constructs that influence the innovation spirit of individuals. Duplicate this study in other industries that require a high degree of innovation. Studies on innovation performance can be conducted in the other IC companies like packaging, testing, and fabrication.