The Role of Rural Revitalization Support Centers in Facilitating Community Innovation in Korea

This study identifies the necessity and importance of innovation in rural communities and highlights the role of rural revitalization support centers in facilitating the diffusion of community innovation. The study provides a literature review and employs the survey method to verify the arguments. There is an urgent need for rural communities to be distinct, attractive, and competitive in the wake of globalization. It is clear that they must recognize the need to facilitate innovation under growing trends toward trade liberalization, environment-oriented life styles, diversified consumer needs, and a knowledge-based society. The results provide support for the legitimacy of establishing rural revitalization support centers to help community leaders and local stakeholders develop their communities. More specifically, rural communities should employ R&D outcomes from diverse fields and capacity building by community members, leaders, and local governments to foster sustainable growth by overcoming limitations in spatial access and resources. The results suggest that rural revitalization support centers can be established as intermediary organizations that can be operated to facilitate community innovation in rural development. In addition, these centers should play key roles such as empowering communities, facilitating region-specific rural development policies, motivating R&D applications for rural development, encouraging rural development networks. Further, close attention should be paid to facilitate mutual learning by expanding networks and interactions between these centers.

지역사회 혁신을 촉진하기 위한 농촌활성화지원센터의 역할