• STI Policy Review
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.13-34
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• 2011

This paper investigates the interaction among the paradigm of Low-Carbon Society (LCS) and the megatrends in field of population, environment, geopolitics, and energy. The paradigm of LCS is regarded as a 'social will' trend, distinguished from other 'phenomenal' trends. The qualitative analysis shows that the megatrends and the LCS paradigm have positive/neutral/negative impacts on one another, while some impacts can be reversed to other types of impact with the conditions having ripened. In quantitative analysis, the correlation between the LCS paradigm and the economy is traced with our Integrated Assessment Model, looking into such response options as population control, increase in labor force participation, and productivity enhancement to maintain utility level despite the pursuit of LCS paradigm. The future challenges in national strategy and S&T policy are suggested, based on the interaction analyses.

• STI Policy Review
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.99-132
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• 2018

Developing countries face numerous challenges in the process of building science, technology, and research capacity; in particular, the formation and accumulation of skilled S&T workforce. The lack of organized and sustainable higher education options (Master and Doctoral programs), nonexistent or low-quality academic programs, and the absence of research-oriented study options are some of the strong contributors for talented students to emigrate to developed countries. At the same time, the consolidation of a global knowledge economy, the internationalization of higher education, and the competition to attract foreign talent in industrialized countries present challenges for underdeveloped nations to retain their already scarce skilled human resources. In this context, student mobility has been used as a policy mechanism to cope with S&T workforce shortages in S&T laggard nations. It has also enabled opportunities for international cooperation to play a key role. While significant literature has been devoted to studying the gains of developed nations with the arrival and potential migration of the mobilized students, few scholarly inquiries have addressed the benefits and losses experienced by their countries of origin. More importantly, limited research can be found on policy options and policy implications for developing countries to deal with the dilemmas presented by the brain-drain/brain-circulation debate. The goal of this article is to study empirical evidence of an international cooperation initiative for student mobility between the Republic of Korea and Guatemala (implemented during 2009-2015). The paper analyzes this particular international cooperation experience from the perspective of the different actors involved and attempts to draw policy implications and policy options for developing countries to deal with potential risks and gains derived from international mobility for their S&T capacity building.

• STI Policy Review
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.39-51
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• 2010

Korea faces challenges from the recent development catch-up countries and the absence of catch up incentives. For Korea to solve the issue of post catch-up problems and create a new development path based on creative innovation, there is an urgent need to secure a system design capability for the production of creative knowledge and talent that can create a competitive society. However, the conservative inclination and a lack of a customer-oriented attitude of Korean universities and professors leads to a standardization of talent and a passive restructuring of the curriculum by universities instead of a direct correspondence with the demands of companies and society. The compatibility of Korean university education with the demands of society remains the lowest in the world and creative education in Korea faces a difficult situation. The world is transforming from a knowledge-based economy to a creativity-based economy and a competitive society will led by creativity, not by knowledge. The success of a country in nurturing creative talent will determine its future national competitiveness. For Korea to be become a global leader in the new era of creativity, it needs to make proactive preparations. It is imperative for Korea to transform the educational system from the previous cramming system to a creativity-nurturing system.

• STI Policy Review
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.135-161
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• 2013

This paper examines Japan's Science and Technology (S&T) Basic Plans in accordance with its S&T Basic Law. The Basic Plans promote two major innovation (Green Innovation and Life Innovation) towards the creation of new markets and jobs, specifically under the Fourth S&T Basic Plan enacted on August 2011. Successful smart community demonstration projects at four urban localities were launched under plans to promote Green Innovation research and development of renewable energy technologies. However, the expectation that renewable energy such as solar or wind power can replace nuclear power is not backed by sufficient evidence. Furthermore, the electricity produced by these sources is expensive and unstable owing to its reliance on weather conditions. The Fukushima nuclear power plant accident on March 2011 has also seriously affected Japan's future energy plans. According to a government estimate, electricity charges would double if nuclear power generation were abandoned, imposing a heavy burden on the Japanese economy. Japan is in need of energy policies designed on the basis of more far-sighted initiatives.

• STI Policy Review
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.29-39
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• 2010

Science, technology, society and humanities (STSH) fusion research is aimed at creating new research areas and methods that can resolve complicated issues in society that cannot be solved by a single academic discipline. This study identifies initiatives that can promote STSH fusion research in Korea. We review the definition and characteristics of STSH fusion research to analyze the necessity of STSH fusion research with a focus on the structural changes in the S&T environment. The emergence and diffusion of generic technologies, transition to post catch-up innovation mode, and the evolution of policy to the third generation innovation policy are identified as notable changes. This paper briefly reviews the status of fusion research underway and presents initiatives to promote STSH fusion research.

• STI Policy Review
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.11-24
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• 2011

S&T policy has been traditionally regarded as a sector policy; however, it is now evolving into an infrastructure innovation policy that forms the foundation of diverse types of policies. Simultaneously, environmental and energy policies formerly considered as sector policies are now being expanded and integrated into a higher level policy for sustainable development. With these changes underway, the importance of policy integration has increased. Efforts are being made to minimize contradictions between environmental, social, and innovation policies that emphasize proactive linkage among policies or place the highest priority on environmental policy following the theory of Environmental Policy Integration (EPI). Confronted with these policy changes, the Lee Myung-bak government announced "Low-Carbon Green Growth" in 2008 as national agenda for development that focus attention on environmental and energy issues. Economic policy and environmental policy have been traditionally seen in a conflicting relationship with different paths of policy development. However, the administration of President Lee is now emphasizing the synergy effects between the environment and economic growth with the concept of green growth. The green growth policy of the Korean government has great significance as it has built a momentum for incorporating social goals such as environmental values or sustainable development into economic growth-oriented policies; however, there remain many challenges due to the legacy of the development period that has dominated Korean society. The Korean government says it reflects "EPI" or "environmentalism" in policy goals; however, in reality it prioritizes development over the environment.

• STI Policy Review
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2010

The development and maintenance of human capacity in economies is critical to long term competitiveness, but also for the overall health and environment of regions. Yet, human science and technology-based capacity is multidimensional and has interrelated characteristics which present certain policy challenges. This paper addresses a range of issues specific to a discussion on human capacity in S&T. First, the paper emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the complexity of human capacity issues and how they evolve along the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) pipeline. The pipeline is an often used reference to describe the training and development in STEM disciplines, from early childhood education, to more advanced training, and finally to professional collaboration and interaction and serves as a useful organizing framework for the discussion of capacity along the career evolution process. Second, the paper offers an organizing framework for discussion of policy mechanisms that have been developed to address issues and gaps that occur along this STEM pipeline. Specifically, it contrasts the traditional mechanisms of building human capacity in STEM areas with newer "gap filling" and integrated approached to addressed human capacity disparities and priorities. Third, the paper addresses core challenges in human capacity in STEM, including the education and training, participation of women and underrepresented groups, brain drain/brain circulation issues, and the globalization of science. The paper concludes with a discussion of policy implication for the development of human capacity.

• STI Policy Review
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.19-40
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• 2013

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) achieved relatively rapid economic growth over the past decade. Sustainable growth among member states, however, is put into question due to macroeconomic challenges, political risk, and vulnerability to external shocks. Developed countries, in contrast, have turned into less labor-intensive technologies to further expand their economies. In this paper, we review the science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies and statuses of the scientific and technological capabilities of the ASEAN member countries. Empirical results based on STI indicators (R&D spending, publications, patents, and knowledge economy indices) reveal considerable variation between the science and technology (S&T) competence and effectiveness of STI policies of ASEAN members. We have categorized nations into clusters according their situations in their S&T productivity. Under the Korean Innovation Model, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Brunei are classified as being in the institutional-building stage, while Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam in the catch up stage, and Singapore in the post-catch up stage. Finally, policy prescriptions on how to enhance the S&T capabilities of the developing ASEAN countries, based on the South Korea development experience, are presented.

• STI Policy Review
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2016

Technology supply has been the main thrust of the Korean government's science & technology policy, focusing on the development and acquisition of new technology in line with the catching-up strategy of economic growth and industrial development. However, new social or societal problems have become major government policy issues, heralding new innovation policy aimed to address them. Such new policy initiatives for social problem-solving present a niche where the existing system of government innovation policy process is challenged, including such processes as goal-setting, planning, implementation, project management, and evaluation. The rigidity of the existing institution of government innovation policy, however, still shapes the content and progression of innovation policy for social problem-solving. This study reviews Korean innovation policy for social problem-solving as a policy niche, and aims to clarify its challenges and opportunities. It uses a system transition framework to explain the emergence and evolution of the innovation policy niche in Korea. The main research question is to what extent and in what aspect the existing innovation policy regime shaped innovation policy for social problem-solving. The study examines the inertia of the current paradigm of innovation policies and R&D programs, and sheds light on the search for a distinctive identity for innovation policies that tackles social problems.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2017.10a
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• pp.313-320
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• 2017

Price fluctuation contract is imperative and of paramount essence in the construction industry as it provides adequate relief and cushioning for changes in the prices of input resources during construction. As a result, several methods have been devised to better help in arriving at fair recompense in the event of price chang es. However, stakeholders often appear not to be satisfied with the existing methods of fluctuation evaluation, ostensibly because of the challenges associated with them. The aim of this study was to identify the challenges to usage of building construction cost indices in Ghana. Data was gathered from contractors and quantity surveying firms. The study utilized survey questionnaire approach to elicit responses from the contractors and the consultants. Data gathered was analyzed scientifically, using the Relative Importance Index (RII) to rank the problems associated with the existing methods. The findings revealed the following among others; late release of data; inadequate recovery of costs; and work items of interest not included in the published indices as the main challenges of the existing methods. This study will provide useful lessons for policy makers and practitioners in decision making towards the usage and improvement of available indices.