• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.85-116
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• 2019

This research examines the characteristics of the newly emerging 'transformative innovation policy' and discusses the current status and issues of the Korean social problem solving R & D policy. Transformative innovation policy is a new paradigm that aims to transform socio-technical systems to address societal challenges. In this study, we analyzed 'the policy plan for solving social problems based on science and technology'. In the "Policy Plan", efforts are being made to establish new direction of science and technological innovation activities such as emphasis on social values, network formation of innovation actors, and spreading of social impact. But in this "Policy Plan", the perspective of transformative innovation policy is weakly reflected. The Policy Plan refers to system improvement that adds new elements to existing system, but it is not discussing system transformation. In order to develop social problem solving R & D policy from the viewpoint of the transformative innovation policy, it is necessary to construct the innovation platform deliberating vision and prospect for the socio-technical transformation.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.193-223
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• 2014

Socio-technical systems are receiving growing attention as a core concept in the process of searching for proper solutions to sustainable growth. In this paper, we review the way for governing socio-technical transitions from a governmental perspective. Based upon the governance studies and transition research, we set social coordination and locus of transition pressures as transition contexts to differentiate transition policy governance. We propose four types of policy governance for sustainable socio-technical transitions: leading, facilitative, coordinative and persuasive. Analysis on four case based upon this typology shows different transition polices of each transition pathway in analytical aspect. It provides basic criteria for policy makers to design effective transition policies in normative aspect. Also, this paper can contribute to closing the gap between transition research and governance studies.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.57-88
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• 2014

The 'Grand Challenge' in the global level raises fundamental questions on the role of private firm as a profit maximizer. From the new perspective, firms are recognized as a social entity with social and environmental responsibility. Particularly, the importance of transition-orineted firms, which pursue an objective of socio-technological system transition, have increased. These environmental changes request a new understanding on the identification of firms and the evolution of sustainable business model from the technological innovation perspectives. This paper aims on the new understanding on the motivation of firms who participated on the sustainable system transition and the proposal of 'transition-oriented firms' concept. Based on literature survey, this paper reviews the role of firms in the process of socio-technological system transition, the cases of transition-oriented firm, the types of sustainable business models and their strategies.

• 한국정책학회보
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.179-209
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• 2014

Transition studies have been gaining attention among innovation researchers from the early 1990's mainly influenced by emerging global agendas on sustainability. In this paper, we review research issues and trends focusing on four prominent transition theories - Technological innovation systems, Multi-level perspective, Transition management and Strategic niche management. After reviewing main characteristics, research trends and debates of each theory from established literatures, we conduct comparative analysis of these theories and suggest integrated framework that can be considered when modeling transition policy. This integrated framework is applied to the case study on smart-grid policy of Korea.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.59-93
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• 2021

This article discusses the innovation activities of firms that aim for system transformation from the perspective of 'Transformative Innovation Policies'. Here, for the sustainable transformation of our society, a firm that finds the 'purpose' of business activities in solving social problems and implements a new business model is defined as a 'transition-oriented firm'. The main characteristics of a transition-oriented firm are examined in terms of 1) transition vision and mission setting, 2) business model innovation for transition, 3) network formation for system transition, and 4) securing legitimacy of transition. And through case studies, the approach, significance, and limitations of the transition-oriented corporate innovation theory are discussed. The case study is from a Eisai Korea, which aims for an integrated prevention, treatment, and care system centered on residents and citizens.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.89-116
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• 2014

Socially-oriented R&D programs aimed at solving societal problem rather than scientific and industrial fruits have started recently. Societal problem is recognized as dilemma since this problem related to various stakeholders. And this is not solved with single program and needed long-term process. So the perspective of socio-technical system transition including technological and institutional change is needed. This paper suggests policy implication of Socially-oriented R&D programs from socio-technical system transition perspective. 'Transitioning of Socially-oriented R&D program' is the key concept of restructuring the program for the system transition. The establishment of multi-layer transition governance and the transition vision-making and transition experiment planning are the key process of transitioning the R&D program. This paper suggests the ways and issues of implementing this process in Socially-oriented R&D program.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2022

Digital transformation refers to the economic and social effects of digitisation and digitalisation. Although digital transformation acts as a useful tool for economic/social development and enhancing the convenience of life, it can have negative effects (misuse of personal information, ethical problems, deepening social gaps, etc.). The government is actively establishing policies to promote digital transformation to secure competitiveness and technological hegemony, however, understanding of digital transformation-related risk issues and implementing policies to prevent them are relatively slow. Thus, this study systematically identifies risk issues of the future society that can be caused by digital transformation based on quantitative analysis of media articles big data through the Embedded Topic Modeling method. Specifically, first, detailed issues of negative effects of digital transformation in major countries were identified. Then detailed issues of negative effects of artificial intelligence in major countries and Korea were identified. Further, by synthesizing the results, future direction of the government's digital transformation policies for responding the negative effects was proposed. The policy implications are as follows. First, since the negative effects of digital transformation does not only affect technological fields but also affect the overall society, such as national security, social issues, and fairness issues. Therefore, the government should not only promote the positive functions of digital transformation, but also prepare policies to counter the negative functions of digital transformation. Second, the detailed issues of future social risks of digital transformation appear differently depending on contexts, so the government should establish a policy to respond to the negative effects of digital transformation in consideration of the national and social context. Third, the government should set a major direction for responding negative effects of digital transformation to minimize confusion among stakeholders, and prepare effective policy measures.

• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.51-75
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• 2014

Sustainability has already become one of the most important innovation policy agendas in many countries. Korea has tried to emulate this global trend in various forms, unfortunately with little success. A very strong tradition of centralized administration in Korea has meant that local communities and municipalities have remained more or less passive in tackling their own sustainability issues and problems. In recent years, with the impetus of huge democratization attempts in Korea since the late 1980s, there have been some local attempts to remedy these imbalances since the early 2000s. A series of local experiments to try and test green alternatives against the very hostile environment have been implemented, with varying degrees of success. This study analyzed cases of transition experiment to sustainable socio-technical system such as MUSIC project, Low Carbon Green Village and Citizens' Sunlight Power Stations. To draw politic meanings for sustainable socio-technical system, these content, process of conversion and feature were examined.

• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.81-116
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• 2012

Transition toward sustainablity being in progress in a variety of areas including climate, energy, household, transportation. This study analyzed system transition and backcasting of its management with case of sustainable transportation, foods, household system transition in the Netherlands. Backcasting has become a popular approach for sustainability taking a more reflexive perspective and looking back to the participatory experiments. In the Netherlands, participatory backcasting utilized as s innovative approach for long-term strategy for sustainability, based on stakeholder involvement, construction of normative sustainable futures, stakeholder leaning. In this study, we can be understood that transition management requires the participation and contribution of business, government, research and the public & public interest groups and backcating is tool leading to a sustainable future vision, stakeholder involvement. To create a new path toward sustainablity, it requires integrated consideration of related policy perspectives and participatory backcasting aiming at system innovations for influencing transitions.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-27
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• 2019

This study deals with the changes in the government-funded research institutes (GRI) in terms of 'responding to social challenges and turning to the institutes that are pursuing sustainability transition'. The newly established societal problem-solving R&D projects in GRIs are core experiments for the transition. In order to discuss about the prospect of transition of GRIs, this study used focus group interview approach. In the interview, the GRIs's stance on the societal problem-solving R&D projects, and its process, problems and the policy direction had been discussed. It is suggested that the necessity of transition is discussed and transition experiments are proceeding on a small scale, but experiments are still underway in the existing framework. In order to facilitate the transition in GRIs, it is necessary to carry out the experiment and the vision making work from the inside the GRI.