XML

Seoul Journal of Economics - Vol. 22 , No. 4
[Paper List] [Go to Volume List]

[ Article ]
Seoul Journal of Economics - Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 499-528
Abbreviation: SJE
ISSN: 1225-0279 (Print)
Print publication date 30 Nov 2009
Received 27 Feb 2009 Revised 23 Nov 2009

Modes of Knowledge Transfer from PROs and Firm Performance: The Case of Korea
Boo-Young Eom ; Keun Lee
Corresponding Author, Associate Research Fellow, Korea Institute of Intellectual Property, KIPS Center 9th FL., 647-9 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-980, Korea, Tel: +82-2-2189-2613, Fax: +82-2-2189-2699 (byeom@kiip.re.kr)
Professor, Department of Economics, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-746, Korea, Tel: +82-2-880-6367, Fax: +82-2-886-4231 (Kenneth@snu.ac.kr)

JEL Classification: O30, O32, O43

Abstract

This paper aims to conceptualize the modes of knowledge transfer from PROs and to identify the impacts of the modes on firm performance. To these ends, this utilizes the Survey on Korean industry-university/PRI relationships to estimate the impacts of its mode in terms of the innovation probability, patents and sales of Korean firms. First, we find that non-IP modes of knowledge transfer and patent/licensing from PROs facilitate the innovation probability or the patent-filing of firms, while business activity does not. Second, non-IP modes of knowledge transfer and patent/ licensing from PROs contribute to industrial innovation, by creating new knowledge through patents, but they face limitations in industrializing knowledge through sales. Third, non-IP modes of knowledge transfer facilitate industrial innovation, through the patent-filing, only in the high-tech industries, while they still face limitations, through sales, even in these industries. This reflect the nature of knowledge industrialization in Korea, and we suggest several policy implications.

Keywords: Knowledge transfer, University-industry interactions
References
1. Arvanitis, Spyros, Nora, Sydow, and Martin, Woerter. “Do Specific Forms of University-Industry Knowledge Transfer Have Different Impacts on the Performance of Private Enterprises? An Empirical Analysis Based on Swiss Firm Data.” Journal of Technology Transfer 32 (No. 5 2008): 504-33.
2. Balconi, M., and Laboranti, A. “University-Industry Interactions in Applied Research: The Case of Microelectronics.” Research Policy 35 (No. 10 2006): 1616-30.
3. Beise, M., and Stahl, H. “Public Research and Industrial Innovations in Germany.” Research Policy 28 (No. 4 1999): 397-422.
4. Bekkers, Rudi, and Bodas Freitas, Isabel Maria. “Analysing Knowledge Transfer Channels between Universities and Industry: To What Degree Do Sectors Also Matter?” Research Policy 10 (No. 10 2008): 1837-53.
5. Bettis, R., and Hitt, M. “The New Competitive Landscape.” Strategic Management Journal 16 (No. 1 1995): 7-19.
6. Chang, Sea-Jin, and Hong, Jae-Bum. “Economic Performance if Group Affiliated Companies in Korea: Intragroup Resource Sharing and Internal Business Transactions.” Academy of Management Journal 43 (No. 3 2000): 429-48.
7. Cohen, Wesley M., Nelson, Richard R., and Walsh, John P. “Links and Impacts: The Influence of Public Research on Industrial R&D.” Management Science 48 (No. 1 2002): 1-23.
8. Dasgupta, P., and David, P. A. “Toward a New Economics of Science.” Research Policy 23 (No. 5 1994): 487-521.
9. Eom, Boo-Young, and Lee, Keun. Determinants of Industry-Academy Linkages and Their Impacts on Firm Performance: The Case of Korea as a Late-comer in Knowledge Industrialization. A paper Presented at the IDRC Workshop for developmental Universities Held in Maxico City in September 2008.
10. Etzkowitz, Henry, and Leydesdorff, Loet. (eds.). Universities and the Global Knowledge Economy: A Triple Helix of University- Industry-Government Relations. London: Continuum, 1997.
11. Etzkowitz, Henry, and Leydesdorff, Loet. (eds.). “The dynamics of innovation: from National Systems and ‘Mode 2’ to a Triple Helix of university-industry-government relations.” Research Policy 29 (No. 2 2000): 109-23.
12. Eun, Jong-Hak, Lee, Keun, and Wu, Guisheng. “Explaining the ‘University-run Enterprises’ in China: A New Theoretical Framework for University-Industry Relationship in Developing Countries and Its Applications to China.” Research Policy 35 (No. 9 2006): 1329-46.
13. George, Gerard, Zahra, Shaker A., and Wood, D. Robley. “The Effects of Business-University Alliances on Innovative Output and Financial Performance: A Study of Publicly Traded Biotechnology Companies.” Journal of Business Venturing 17 (No. 6 2002): 577-609.
14. Hall, B. H., and Ziedonis, R. H. “The Patent Paradox Revisited: An Empirical Study of Patenting in the U.S. Semiconductor Industry, 1979-1995.” RAND Journal of Economics 32 (No. 1 2001): 101- 28.
15. Hilbe, J. M. Negative Binominal Regression. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007.
16. Kim, LinSu. “National System of Industrial Innovation: Dynamics of Capability Building in Korea.” In Richard R. Nelson (ed.), National System of Innovation: A Comparative Analysis. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993.
17. KRF. A White Paper on University-Industry Cooperation. Seoul: Korea Research Foundation, 2006, 2007 (in Korean).
18. Landry, Rejean, Amara, Nabil, and Ouimet, Mathieu, “Determinants of Knowledge Transfer: Evidence from Canadian University Researchers in Natural Sciences and Engineering.” Journal of Technology Transfer 32 (No. 6 2007): 561-92.
19. Lee, Jang-Jae. “University Research and Industry-University Cooperation.” In Lee et al. (ed.), National Innovation System in Korea. STEPI, 1998.
20. Lee, Keun, and Lim, Chaisung. “Technological Regimes, Catch-up and Leapfrogging: Findings from the Korean Industries.” Research Policy 30 (No. 3 2001): 459-83.
21. Lim, Chaisung. Research Issues Derived from the Study of National Systems of Innovation (NI) of Small Advanced National: Analysis of the International Research Project on the NSIs of 10 Small Advanced Nations. STEPI, 2006.
22. Lim, Chae-Yun, and Lee, Yun-Jun. “An analysis for success factor of technology transfer: from GRI’s perspective” STEPI, 2008 (in Korean).
23. Link, A. N., and Scott, J. T. “Opening the Ivory Tower’s Door: An Analysis of the Determinants of the Formation of U.S. University Spin-off Companies.” Research Policy 34 (No. 7 2005): 1106-12.
24. Megantz. How to License Technologies. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1996.
25. Meyer-Krahmer, Frieder, and Schmoch, Ulrich, “Science-based Technology: University-Industry Interactions in Four Fields.” Research Policy 27 (No. 8 1998): 835-51.
26. MOCIE. A Survey on the Technology Transfer of Public research Organization, 2007 (in Korean).
27. Mohnen, Pierre, and Hoareau, Cathy. “What Type of Enterprises Forges Close Links with Universities and Government Labs?: Evidence from CIS2.” Managerial and Decision Economics 24 (Nos. 2-3 2003): 133-45.
28. Monjon, Stephanie, and Waelbroeck, Patrick. “Assessing Spillovers from Universities to Firms: Evidence from French Firm-level Data.” International Journal of Industrial Organization 21 (No. 9 2003): 1255-70.
29. MOST. S&T Statistics, 2006.
30. Mowery, David C., and Sampat, Bhaven N. “The Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 and University-Industry Technology Transfer: A Model for Other OECD Governments?” Journal of Technology Transfer 30 (Nos. 1-2 2005): 115-27.
31. OECD. Turning Science into Business: Patenting and Licensing at Public Research Organizations, 2003.
32. Pavitt, K. “Sectoral Patterns of Technical Change: Towards a Taxanomy and a Theory.” Research Policy 13 (No. 6 1984): 343-73.
33. Sandelin. Knowledge Transfers through Patenting and Licensing. An Unpublished Paper, 1994.
34. Schumpeter, J. A. Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy. New York: Harper, 1942.
35. Song, Wi Chin. A Study on the Development Strategy of Korean Innovation System. STEPI, 2004 (in Korean).
36. Spencer, J. “How Relevant is University-based Scientific Research to Private High-technology Firms?” Academy of Management Journal, 44 (No. 2 2001): 432-40.
37. Sung, Tae Kyung. “Firm Size, Networks and Innovative Activity: Evidence from the Korean Manufacturing Firms.” Technological Innovation Studies 13 (No. 3 2005): 1-20 (in Korean).
38. Tether, Bruce S. “Who Co-operates for Innovation, and Why: An Empirical Analysis.” Research Policy 31 (No. 6 2002): 947-67.
39. Ungson, G., Steers, R., and Park, S. Korean Enterprise: The Quest for Globalization. Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 1997.
40. Yun, Mikyung. Regulatory Regime Governing Management of Intellectual Property of Korean Research Organizations: Focus on the Biomedical Sector. Turning Science into Business: Patenting and Licensing at Public Research Organizations, OECD, 2003.
41. Zucker, L. G., Darby, M. R., and Armstrong, J. S. “Commercializing Knowledge: University Science, Knowledge Capture and Firm Performance in Biotechnology.” Management Science 48 (No. 1 2002): 138-53.
 

Editorial Office, Seoul Journal of Economics, Institute of Economic Research, Seoul National University 599 Gwanangno, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-746, Korea
Tel: +82-2-880-5434 | Fax: +82-2-888-4454 | E-mail: sje@plaza.snu.ac.kr
Copyright (c) 2020 SJE. All rights reserved.