Halfway There:
Korea’s SME Digital Transformation and the Policy–Practice Gap
Korea may be one of the world’s most high-tech societies, but not every business is keeping up. While big corporations surge ahead with digital innovation, many Hare still struggling to catch up.
This talk explores why that gap persists—and what the government is doing to close it. From “smart factories” and AI tools to digital vouchers that help small firms work remotely, Korea has launched a wide range of programs to bring SMEs into the digital age. Yet not all of them deliver results. The real challenge, it turns out, isn’t just buying new technology—it’s about building the right culture, leadership, and skills to make it work.
Drawing on both research and real-world examples from Korea, this lecture takes a closer look at how policies meet (or miss) the realities of business life—and what that means for the future of digital transformation.
About the Speaker
Dr. Changkeun Lee is an economist whose research connects economic history, labor markets, and technological change. His work examines how firms adapt to major transformations—spanning contexts from the U.S. Great Depression to post-independence Korea and modern Vietnam.
A member of several interdisciplinary research teams supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea, he collaborates widely across academia, government, and industry. Dr. Lee has advised local governments, cultural institutions, and national ministries on policies related to labor markets, digital transformation, and Korea’s engagement with ASEAN economies.
This event is organised by Dr Yuan He on behalf of the Asia Prosperity Hub at the Institute for Global Prosperity, UCL.
