Possibility of Chaotic Motion in the R&D Activities in Korea

In this study, various characteristics of R&D related economic variables were studied to analyze complexity of science and technology activities in Korea, as reliance of R&D activities of the private sector is growing by the day. In comparison to other countries, this means that it is likely to be fluctuated by economic conditions. This complexity characteristic signifies that the result of science and technology activities can be greatly different from the anticipated results - depending on the influences from economic conditions and the results of science and technology activities which may be unpredictable. After reviewing the results of 17 variables related to science and technology characteristics of complex systems intended for time-series data - in the total R&D expenditure, and private R&D expenditure, numbers of SCI papers, the existence of chaotic characteristics were. using Lyapunov Exponent, Hurst Exponent, BDS test. This result reveals science and technology activity of the three most important components in Korea which are; heavy dependence on initial condition, the long term memory of time series, and non-linear structure. As stable R&D investment and result are needed in order to maintain steady development of Korea economy, the R&D structure should be less influenced by business cycles and more effective technology development policy for improving human resource development must be set in motion. And to minimize the risk of new technology, the construction of sophisticated technology forecasting system should take into account, for development of R&D system.