The co-evolution of universities' academic research and knowledge-transfer activities: the case of South Korea

We focus on the relationship between universities' academic research and knowledge transfer and the relationship between the national innovation system and the higher education system during a country's transition from catch-up to developed country. We find a structural similarity between publishing and patenting activities and industrial structure by discipline and sector. The two activities have co-evolved with structural changes in industry throughout different periods. Publications have shifted from being close to the traditional industries to the high-tech industries. Academic patents show a similar change. The recent increase in co-publishing and co-patenting between universities, industry and public research institutes implies a vitalisation of the interactions between these three. Our results explain the South Korean Government's efforts to support both academia and industry in a harmonised way, reflecting the different developmental stages of the Korean innovation system. These findings provide the basis for policy recommendations for supporting universities in South Korea as well as in other Asian countries that are achieving rapid economic catch-up.