• Journal of the Korean Regional Science Association
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.3-18
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• 2021

The fourth Industrial Revolution is transforming the industrial structure of the region, and it is necessary to develop new industries and technologies that reflect regional characteristics. The purpose of this study is to measure the knowledge relatedness and technological complexity in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, and to identify technologies with potential for regional industrial differentiation strategies. Using patent data from 2015 to 2019, co-occurrence matrices were derived from 652 IPC codes, and the knowledge relatedness density and technology complexity index were calculated. Network analysis was performed using the knowledge relatedness density. As a result of analysis, it was found that mechanical engineering occupied a large proportion, followed by chemistry and electrical engineering. As a result of applying the risk-benefit framework to derive technologies with the potential to differentiate local industries, the technological capabilities of low-risk-high-benefit were different. Among mechanical engineering, technologies such as engine, machine operation, and transportation were included in Busan. In Ulsan, environmental technology in chemical and materials, and heat treatment technology in mechanical engineering were technologies with low-risk and high-benefit capabilities. Gyeongnam showed competence in mechanical engineering, chemistry, and electrical engineering in some areas such as Gimhae, Yangsan, and Changwon. The results of this study are meaningful in that they identified technologies with potential for selecting and deriving strategic industries for regional growth based on latent knowledge in the region.