The role of universities in the regional economic development in Korea
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Date
2008-06
Authors
Kim, Jong Han
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Planning, Public Policy & Management, University of Oregon
Abstract
Recently universities are acknowledged as the most important asset for building regional
innovation systems and the development of regional economy since the success of the
Silicon Valley, Route 128, and Research Triangle Park. Nowadays, for the development of
regional economy, universities are required to perform two roles: the direct contribution
through setting-up firms, technology transfer, and technical assistance and the indirect
contribution through developing regional innovation capabilities, analysis of regional
economy and development of innovation norms of openness, trust and cooperation. However,
there is wide variation in the substantial outcomes of the roles performed by universities. It
is unveiled that the role of universities is influenced by four types of factors: university
factors, regional factors, common factors, and environmental factors, which are used as the
framework for the case analysis. The university factors are the orientation of a universityâ s
management to the regional engagement and its ability to perform the role of a contributor.
The regional factors are the industrial base of a region and its cultural characteristics. The
common factors, which are related to both a university and a region, are the history of
university-region linkages and the presence of champions within a university and in the
region. Finally, the environmental factors are changes in the economic and political
environments, or in the government policy. Analyzed with this framework, Kyungpook
National University in Daegu, Korea is assessed that it did not play an active role in the
development of Daeguâ s economy because of its indifference in the regional economic
development, the absence of an industrial base in Daegu, Daeguâ s very conservative culture,
the insufficient experience of university-region linkages, the absence of champions, and
deeply centralized economic power and regulation authorities in Seoul though the university
had a considerable ability and there were a number of government programs. For Kyungpook
National University to perform an active role in the development of Daeguâ s economy, the
university should explicitly include contributions to regional economic development as its
important mission. Second, Daegu City should focus on the promotion of the industry sectors
in which Kyungpook National University has strength and has to make more efforts to
change its very conservative culture into a more venture-friendly culture. Third, both
Kyungpook National University and Daegu City need to find out and cultivate their champions
to play a key role in building linkages between the university and the Daeguâ s industries on
purpose. Finally, government policies should be more systematic to achieve their goals.
Description
Examining committee: Michael Hibbard, chair
Keywords
Economic development, Universities, Korea