A strategic management approach for Korean public research institutes based on bibliometric investigation

Abstract

As a process of knowledge manufacture, research activities are interpretable from the well-known economic perspectives of production and consumption. We therefore aim to investigate the contents of institutes’ research portfolio from a knowledge production and consumption perspective. A Hirsch-type-index and mean reference age serve as indicators of knowledge activity. Based on both indicators, we divide research institutes into four categories. This approach is applied to Government-funded Research Institutes (GRIs) in Korea that are dedicated to major disciplines within science and technology. We recognize GRIs’ contribution to the development in the characteristic areas. A tailored enhancement strategy is discussed for promising GRIs to improve their knowledge activity. Our results have implications for GRIs’ research portfolio management. In terms of R&D portfolio constitution, we reveal that Korean GRIs’ research themes concentrate on the strategic research such as chemistry, information and communications technology, and semiconductors. We also point out the possible fragility of the national R&D system, as national leading technologies are reliant on a few giant institutes.