Executive Summary
As digital transformation accelerates, software (SW) convergence has emerged
as a core driver for enhancing industrial value and competitiveness. While the
global market for industry-specific software is growing at an annual average rate
of 15%—a trend mirrored in Korea—effective policy-making has been hindered
by the absence of an objective system to diagnose convergence levels across
different industries. To address this gap, this report aims to develop a ‘SW
Convergence Competitiveness Diagnosis Framework’ based on the
Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework.
To ensure both validity and practical applicability, this study employed a
mixed-method approach combining Delphi surveys and the Analytic Hierarchy
Process (AHP). The research targeted two industries: manufacturing and services
,taking into account the differences in the patterns of SW convergence. Through
a three-round Delphi survey involving 28 experts from industry, academia, and
research, 20 detailed measurement indicators were established under the
categories of Technology, Organization, and Environment. Subsequently, an AHP
analysis was conducted to derive weighted priorities tailored to the distinct
characteristics of each sector.
The diagnostic analysis revealed distinct strategic priorities for SW convergence
between the manufacturing and service sectors. In the technology dimension,
while both sectors identified the adoption of new SW technologies as the highest
priority, their strategic directions diverged significantly. The manufacturing sector
prioritized task automation, reflecting a focus on hardware-based process
efficiency. In contrast, the service sector prioritized inter-technology connectivity
and integration, highlighting the importance of organic system connections to
enhance the customer experience.