The economic environment of MERCOSUR has been rapidly changing after the emergence of market-friendly governments in Argentina and Brazil and the possibility of starting negotiations for a Korea-MERCOSUR trade agreement is growing. This study is designed to respond to such circumstances and to provide a new breakthrough in the development of previously stagnant bilateral economic relations. The study focuses especially on cooperation among firms, which has recently attracted attention as one of the new cooperation measures between Korea and MERCOSUR.
  In line with these research objectives, the study consists of six chapters. Chapter 2 depicts MERCOSUR’s recent economic environment developments in depth. In addition, we review the results of MERCOSUR’s productive integration policy while considering the rapidly reorganizing international division of labor structure. Finally, we analyze the major changes in the MERCOSUR trade policy and present its future prospects after the emergence of a new government in favor of FTA policies in Argentina and Brazil.
  Chapter 3 explores and analyzes cases of cooperation between firms through which we draw implications for Korean firms wishing to cooperate with MERCOSUR firms. In particular, based on the inter-firm bridge model, the study divides the various types of cooperation into the categories of manufacturing/production, logistics/infrastructure, distribution/marketing, financial cooperation and R&D/technical cooperation.
  Chapter 4 uses quantitative analysis techniques to identify promising areas of cooperation between Korea and MERCOSUR. The study uses revealed comparative advantage (RCA) to identify potential areas of cooperation within the export sector between Korea and MERCOSUR, and the input-output tables provided by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) for the investment sector. In addition, the study proposes future cooperation areas based on MERCOSUR member countries’ level of participation in the global value chain and the level of product integration among the member countries.
  Chapter 5 suggests ways to invigorate cooperation among firms of Korea and MERCOSUR, compared to the current state of cooperation. First, based on the results of surveys conducted by industry associations in four countries, we analyze the cooperation demand, preferred cooperation method and proposals for the government. Then we summarize the results of the above research to elucidate ways to stimulate cooperation at the firm level, and suggest ways to support such cooperation at the government level.
  Finally, Chapter 6 summarizes the results of the study and suggests a comprehensive plan for strengthening cooperation between Korea and MERCOSUR. First, both governments and firms must swiftly recognize the rapid changes within the economic environment of MERCOSUR and prepare countermeasures. MERCOSUR’s two major countries, Argentina and Brazil, are facing major changes in the external trade environment such as the end of the primary product boom caused by slowing economic growth in China and the rise of protectionism within developed countries following Brexit and the Trump administration taking office, and are actively pursuing open policies to secure new growth engines. In particular, the upcoming EU-MERCOSUR FTA is expected to have a significant impact not only on the advancement of MERCOSUR’s foreign trade norms but also on the entry of firms to those markets from non-FTA nations. In the MERCOSUR market, the entry of Korean companies, which compete with their EU counterparts, may also be affected in the export sector, in particular due to tariff cuts. The Korean government and its firms should precisely identify and respond to MERCOSUR’s internal and external changes in the business environment, and prepare joint strategies to cope with such changes.
  Second, Korea should actively utilize the MERCOSUR Trade Agreement (TA) as a turning point in the development of the economic relationship between Korea and MERCOSUR. As the recession of the MERCOSUR member countries has worn on, interest in the MERCOSUR market by the Korean companies and the government has been in marked decline: the suspension of Korean Air’s Sao Paulo operations in September 2016 is one such symbolic event. The TA between the two, however, will be a boon to invigorate the importance of the MERCOSUR market in Korea and to revitalize stagnant cooperation. As we lack cooperation channels with MERCOSUR, we need to use the TA as a platform for expanding cooperation. For this purpose, it is necessary to stipulate a separate chapter of business cooperation within the FTA agreement and to use it as an institutional channel for future cooperation between companies from the two regions.
  Third, the two regions should build various forms of sustainable platforms for business cooperation. In previous surveys and interviews with companies from both sides, we have identified a high degree of interest in building business cooperation channels. However, most of the cooperation channels between the two regions are only temporary or one-time events. In order to meet the cooperation demands of both regions, it will be necessary to establish lasting, diverse channels of cooperation. A Korean Desk, for example, should be established within the investment promotion agencies of MERCOSUR countries to identify and help establish business partners among enterprises. A MERCOSUR Technology Innovation Center or MERCOSUR Export Incubator could also serves as helpful channels to support Korean SMEs with the technological capabilities necessary to enter the MERCOSUR market. In addition, it is necessary to establish a B2B cooperation platform with regional development banks, including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), which have large financial mobilization powers and business networks in Latin America.
  Fourth, a comprehensive cooperation strategy at the regional integration level is needed. Cooperation with MERCOSUR remains at the level of individual member countries rather than MERCOSUR as a whole. It will be necessary to pursue an integrated cooperation strategy in parallel with bilateral cooperation as a means to complement the gap between bilateral cooperation through multilateral cooperation at an integrated level. Deployment of integrated local currency payment systems between Korea and MERCOSUR, participation in the MERCOSUR production integration program, establishment of an export incubator targeting the MERCOSUR market and operation of a Korea-MERCOSUR business council are among the potential co-op initiatives that can be implemented across MERCOSUR.
  Finally, Korean firms need to establish a strategy to accurately understand and utilize the strategic value of business aspects present within MERCOSUR member countries and companies. In particular, in order to establish an entry strategy aimed at the MERCOSUR integrated market, it will be necessary to accurately grasp the characteristics of the market of individual member countries. For instance, though their value as end-consumer markets lags behind Brazil and Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay’s potential as a production and logistics base for entry into the Brazilian and Argentine markets is relatively high. One example is THN, an automobile parts company aimed at the Brazilian market that has built production bases in Paraguay due to its simplified labor management and low wages. In addition to the diversification of target countries, a change in the paradigm of entry mode is required; we need to move beyond simple exports or investment measures to more sophisticated, collaborative relationships such as strategic alliances, joint ventures, and technical cooperation with local companies. Hana Micron’s technological cooperation and Dongkuk Steel-POSCO-Vale’s joint venture (CSP) are examples of new possibilities for cooperation between the two regions. 

서언

국문요약

제1장 서론
1. 연구의 필요성 및 목적
2. 연구의 구성 및 방법
가. 연구 구성
나. 연구 방법
3. 연구의 범위
가. 기업간 협력의 개념과 모델
나. 선행연구와의 차별성 및 한계

제2장 MERCOSUR 경제환경 변화와 전망
1. 거시경제환경 변화 및 전망
2. MERCOSUR 생산통합 추이와 평가
가. 생산통합 추진 배경
나. 생산통합의 제도화
다. 생산통합의 주요 추진 사례
라. 생산통합의 평가
3. 대외통상정책의 변화 및 전망
가. MERCOSUR 대외통상정책 변화
나. 글로벌 통상협상 환경 변화와 MERCOSUR의 선택
다. 주요 무역협상 추진 동향 및 전망
4. MERCOSUR 경제환경 변화에 대한 평가와 시사점

제3장 MERCOSUR 기업과의 협력 사례 및 시사점
1. 협력 사례
가. 제조/생산 협력
나. 물류/인프라 협력
다. 유통/마케팅 협력
라. 금융 협력
마. R&D/기술 협력
2. 한국에 대한 시사점
가. 기업간 협력의 의의
나. 시사점
다. 한계 및 소결

제4장 한ㆍMERCOSUR 기업간 유망협력분야
1. 무역측면에서의 유망협력분야
가. 한ㆍMERCOSUR 무역 현황
나. 유망협력분야
2. 투자측면에서의 유망협력분야
가. 한ㆍMERCOSUR 투자 현황
나. 유망협력분야
3. MERCOSUR 생산통합측면에서의 유망협력분야

제5장 한ㆍMERCOSUR 기업간 협력 활성화 방안
1. 한ㆍMERCOSUR 기업간 협력 실태
가. 외국기업과의 협력 현황 및 동기
나. 한국기업과의 협력수요 및 협력방식
다. 한ㆍMERCOSUR 무역협정(TA)에 대한 입장
2. 한ㆍMERCOSUR 기업간 협력 활성화 방안
가. 정부차원의 지원 확대방안
나. 기업차원의 협력 활성화 방안

제6장 요약 및 결론

참고문헌

Executive Summary