• Proceedings of the Korea Technology Innovation Society Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.357-377
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• 2000

This paper seeks to search a improved evaluation system of government sponsored research institutes(GSRI) as a knowledge system It begins with a brief review of the theory of knowledge and knowledge system This is followed by a search of the desirable conditions of the evaluation system of GSRI as a knowledge system These conditions presented are applied within the context of the current evaluation system of GSRI. Finally conclusions are drawn and directions for improvement of the system are outlined.

• Proceedings of the Technology Innovation Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.131-163
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• 1998

The interest in the evaluation of government-sponsored research institutes (GRIs) has increased markedly in Korea in 1990s; this is mainly because of the increasing needs 1) to improve the quality of R&D at GRIs, and 2) to reorient the GRIs' strategic position in Korean national innovation systems due to the enhancement of R&D capabilities of private companies and universities during last decade. As a first attempt to diagnose the managerial and strategic issues of GRIs, a Multi-Ministerial Evaluation Committee was established as an ad hoc task force under the Prime Minister's Office in 1991. According to the recommendations of the committee, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) to which most of GRIs were affiliated, made it a rule to evaluate the annual performance of GRIs since 1992. This paper examines the recent experience of MOST's evaluation of Government-sponsored Research Institute in Korea. After several years'efforts of Science & Technology Policy Institute(STEPI) to build prospective evaluation systenL MOST decided to apply two supplementary approaches for the evaluation of GRIs; one is summative annual evaluation and the other is formative 3-year evaluation. The annual evaluation system that is designed as a temporary measure is to monitor and to guide the self-evaluation activities of GRIs. In the process of annual evaluation, MOST tries to minimize its direct involvement, and allows each GRI to develop self-evaluation system that is most appropriate for the unique characteristics of the institute. If there exist urgent issues under scrutiny, however, it can be incorporated and examined by a group of external experts as special issues in the annual evaluation system. The aim of 3-year evaluation is both to examine the past performance of each GRI and to investigate whether the strategic role of each GRI is viable in the future. Its major focus, however, lies not on auditing past performance but on strengthening future strategic position of each GRI. The MOST designates a group of evaluation experts with appropriate knowledge and competence as members of the General Evaluation Committee for one year. With the help of STEPI, a specialized research institute for R&D evaluation, the General Evaluation Committee develops methodology and procedures for the actual evaluation of GRIs. Based on the evaluation reports and recommendations from the General Evaluation Committee, the MOST develops various policy measures for strengthening GRIs.