Principles and Methodologies for STI Strategy Development: Experience and Best Practices from the Republic of Korea

Abstract

This paper articulates the STI strategy development principles and methodologies that have been elaborated through iterative processes of STI strategy development cases for the past ten years. The consultation cases include poverty traps in Nepal and Laos, African health challenges in Nigeria and Tanzania, and ASEAN global challenges in Indonesian Water, Vietnamese Green Energy, and Filipino Food, in partnership with some multilateral agencies.The iterative elaboration process has continued with consultation activities on Thailand and on Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar in planning partnership with Thailand. The principles were originally conceptualized from the benchmarking process of the Korean STI development experience. They were further incorporated as methodologies with which relevant planning bodies are guided to address individual and regional challenges through science, technology and innovation strategies. The methodologies are strong in providing plausible holistic perspective scenarios by which various stakeholders can be engaged in the planning and implementation process. But it is heuristic in nature and can be learned only through on-the-job training process. This is the structural limitation for scaling up.

Figure 1 Position and characteristics of Korean STI development experience in the global challenge issues

Figure 2 Benchmarking process

Figure 3 Benchmarking framework

Figure 4 KIST and special GRIs for indigenous high tech capabilities

Figure 5 Company research institutes to drive the new technologyproduct development

Figure 6 Cultivation of domestic strategic partnership

Figure 7 Diversified STI issues and inter-ministerial coordination governance

Figure 8 Green growth initiative

Figure 9 Creative economy initiative

Figure 10 Human centered economy

Figure 11 STI Strategy development principles

Figure 12 Strategy design simulation process

Figure 13 3C diagnosis and 3A solutions for targeting

Figure 14 Futuristic vision and scenario-based solutions

Figure 15 Foresight diamond

Figure 16 Vicious strategy cycle

Figure 17 Proposed strategic cycle

Figure 18 Innovation governance issues

Table 1 Framework conditions, goals and solutions in 1960s

Table 2 Framework conditions, goals and solutions in 1970s

Table 3 Framework conditions, goal and solutions in 1980s

Table4 Framework conditions, goal and solutions in 1990s