S&T Policy for SMEs: Lessons Learned and Implications from Korea

This article puts forward the opinion of a policy expert, who had been involved in Korea's science and technology policy for 30 years, about technology policy for SMEs. This article first explains why technology policies for SMEs are needed, and from what point of view. The next section looks at the current problems facing Korean SMEs, followed by the introduction of past and current polices to support SMEs. The comparison between current issues facing SMEs and past and current policies leads to lessons that can be learned. There are four lessons for the policy itself and three for the implementation of these policies. As for policy, the first four are about stages of development, concentration, R&D and diffusion, and policy mix. The latter three are policymakers, institutional building, and cooperation between ministries. This article makesfour suggestions for future policy: the importance of startups' culture, cooperation with others, infrastructure to reduce uncertainty, and policy monitoring and evaluation.