R&D efficiency from the perspective of RIS: Korea´s government sponsored R&D program

The R&D productivity of 16 Korea´s local governments was analyzed with DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) methodology with 2-inputs and 2-outputs. The input variables are the R&D expenditure, researchers in 2006 and 2008, and the output variables are the number of papers and patents in 2008 and 2010 as 2 years-lagged R&D performance measures. R&D efficiency was different among the 16 regions according to three research types. Efficiency level of the region depended on its regional attributes and environmental elements. Higher efficiency region had abundant innovation resources, high levels in both industry agglomerations and networking capability. Compared to other studies, the current study enhanced the vigor and complexity of the R&D efficiency research in terms of heterogeneities among basic, applied and development R&D. Furthermore, it sheds lights on providing a sound basis for the decision makings in the R&D policy through analyzing down to the level of RIS (Regional Innovation System) for a way to improve the R&D productivity in NIS as a whole.