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Seoul Journal of Economics
[ Article ]
Seoul Journal of Economics - Vol. 22, No. 4, pp.499-528
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

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