Learning from within and without in the science and technology policy of Korea : The institutionalization of ERC/SRC program

This paper analyzes the Research and Development (R&D) practices in Korea. R&D practices tend to bear the marks of influences of local cultural and institutional contexts. The paper examines the institutionalization of the Engineering Research Center (ERC) and Science Research Center (SRC) which were modeled after the R&D institutions in the United States. Focusing on the programs of Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF) which provides support to enhance research capabilities of the universities, this paper evaluates the national innovation system in Korea. The paper traces the evolution of R&D systems in Korea which began with the promotion of heavy and chemical industries in the 1970s. KOSEF was established in 1977. In the 1980s, technological innovation was stressed in order for Korean industries to gain in international competitiveness and since 1989 basic research has been strengthened. The ERC/SRC program was planned by Korean scientists in National Science Foundation (NSF) to stimulate domestic technological capability as well as to boost international competitiveness. However, in the Korean context, SRC became differentiated from ERC, interdisciplinary approach also stumbled due to cultural factors and collaborative research among many universities also often met with difficulties.