Endogenous Development Strategy of Technopolis in Korea: Case of Daedeok INNOPOLIS

Abstract

The development of Technopolis and the establishment of innovative ecosystem have made an important contribution in South Korea's latest industrial development and economic growth. Particularly, Daedeok INNOPOLIS which is responsible for the central role in the national science technology advancement was founded as the Science Town in the 1970s. Since then, it has undergone three-phases of development: Science Park, Technopolis and Innovation cluster. As the result of the transition, Daedeok INNOPOLIS currently serve as the leading role for achieving sustainable economic growth, employment promotion, national and regional innovation. In order to accelerate the progress for success, Daedeok INNOPOLIS have arranged an opportunity for 21st century new industry development, improved growth of technology-intensive SMEs, reinforced academic-industrial cooperation, and established innovative ecosystem. Daedeok INNOPOLIS is considered as an outstanding case of endogenous development strategy of Technopolis. This study attempts to consider the endogenous development strategy of Technopolis in Korea through the analysis of development characteristics of Daedeok INNOPOLIS in two different perspectives: changes of spatial structure and establishment of innovation ecosystem. Daedeok INNOPOLIS have experienced a series of endogenous growth that is consisted of advancement strategy and structural changes, which allowed Daedeok research town to grow into an innovative cluster. A sign of growth of Daedeok INNOPOLIS became apparent when its strategy to reinforce the academic-industry cooperation system by promoting participation from universities helped to overcome a functional limitation as a research institute integrated for the establishment of innovative ecosystem. Since then, the center for creative economy and innovation established in cooperation with large enterprise, has a role to build a startup ecosystem and to promote next level of development such as proactive fostering of venture companies for sustainable technopolis development.