A Study on Response Strategies to Environmental Changes in the Mechanical Equipment Industry and Task Derivation for the Second Master Plan for Mechanical Equipment Development Based on PEST Analysis

This study systematically assessed the alignment between the detailed action plans in the Second Basic Plan for the Development of the Mechanical Equipment Industry and environmental changes using the PEST analysis framework (Political, Economic, Social, Technological). Key environmental change factors—including carbon neutrality policies, digital transformation, demographic shifts, and the adoption of advanced technologies—were categorized and analyzed as either opportunities or threats. The findings reveal that 81.8% of the plan’s sub-tasks are closely related to significant opportunity factors. Notably, there is a strong alignment between strategic policy tasks and technology trends such as IoT, AI, and digital twins, indicating enhanced policy effectiveness. Conversely, economic fluctuations and the rapid pace of technological change were identified as major threats. In response, this study offers specific implementation measures categorized by timeframe (short-, medium-, and long-term from 2025 to 2035), which include policy and industry strategies, increased R&D investment, and the establishment of new industrial clusters. The quantitative evaluation of policy-environment consistency not only contributes to academic knowledge but also provides practical strategic guidance for both industry stakeholders and policymakers.