• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.117-137
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• 2014

In recent years, there has been a gradual increase in the number of R&D projects for solving societal problems. However, government-funded research institutes(GRIs) are going through many trials and errors due to the lack of R&D systems suitable for solving societal problems. In this regard, this study attempted to discuss the improvement directions for evaluation systems of GRIs, which serves as a major influencing factor in performing R&D initiatives for solving societal problems. Towards this end, a study of R&D initiatives for solving societal problems was conducted first, and improvement directions for effective promotion were presented after deriving limits in terms of R&D initiatives for solving societal problems, along with the current status of evaluation systems by GRIs. Lastly, implications and limitations of this study were discussed. This study has its significance in that it is the first research to propose evaluation indicators in terms of solving societal problems at the level of GRIs and is expected to be a foundation for future research of related fields.

• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.177-217
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• 2018

This study examines the case of living lab applied in the R&D initiatives for solving societal problems and challenges. It discusses how to use the living lab in national R&D projects. The analyzed cases are 'Develop portable fundus camera for eye disease screening test to resolve health inequalities' and 'Auto-sensing integrated system development in rural pedestrian crosswalk'. As a result of the analysis, both cases were designed as a user participatory R&D structure by utilizing living lab. In other words, living lab has operated as a system that evolves technology-products-services into an infrastructure. It can realize final demand specification, product, service improvement and demonstration through continuous interaction of end users. As a result of the case analysis, the following policy tasks can be derived. First, living lab is a new concept and it is in the early stage of implementation in Korea. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor and evaluate living lab experiments and build suitable models for Korean society by sharing cases and achievements. Second, the strategic niche management are necessary for the introduction of living lab. Third, living lab can be used as a tool to transform the existing technology acquisition centered innovation policy to the policy for customer needs and problem solving. Fourth, there is a need for flexibility and adaptability in strategy and system to correct errors that appear in the living lab processes.

• STI Policy Review
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2016

Technology supply has been the main thrust of the Korean government's science & technology policy, focusing on the development and acquisition of new technology in line with the catching-up strategy of economic growth and industrial development. However, new social or societal problems have become major government policy issues, heralding new innovation policy aimed to address them. Such new policy initiatives for social problem-solving present a niche where the existing system of government innovation policy process is challenged, including such processes as goal-setting, planning, implementation, project management, and evaluation. The rigidity of the existing institution of government innovation policy, however, still shapes the content and progression of innovation policy for social problem-solving. This study reviews Korean innovation policy for social problem-solving as a policy niche, and aims to clarify its challenges and opportunities. It uses a system transition framework to explain the emergence and evolution of the innovation policy niche in Korea. The main research question is to what extent and in what aspect the existing innovation policy regime shaped innovation policy for social problem-solving. The study examines the inertia of the current paradigm of innovation policies and R&D programs, and sheds light on the search for a distinctive identity for innovation policies that tackles social problems.