• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.233-267
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• 2018

This paper examines three perspectives on science and technology innovation that are aiming at resolving the social problems. Based on the relationship between technocratic experts and civil society in the process of social problem solving innovation, we will discuss 1) expert-centered approach, 2) citizen-centered approach, and 3) expert-citizen collaboration approach. After summarizing these three perspectives, we suggest the direction of development of science and technology innovation policies that solve social problems. It is necessary to identify the social problem solving type innovation policy as a strategic niche for the transformation of the innovation policy, and to develop the future direction in the following ways: 1) deepening the collaborative approach, 2) introducing the sustainability transition approach, and 3) reconstructing the innovation policy using new concept of innovation.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-27
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• 2019

This study deals with the changes in the government-funded research institutes (GRI) in terms of 'responding to social challenges and turning to the institutes that are pursuing sustainability transition'. The newly established societal problem-solving R&D projects in GRIs are core experiments for the transition. In order to discuss about the prospect of transition of GRIs, this study used focus group interview approach. In the interview, the GRIs's stance on the societal problem-solving R&D projects, and its process, problems and the policy direction had been discussed. It is suggested that the necessity of transition is discussed and transition experiments are proceeding on a small scale, but experiments are still underway in the existing framework. In order to facilitate the transition in GRIs, it is necessary to carry out the experiment and the vision making work from the inside the GRI.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.309-333
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• 2014

To meet the challenge of new type of innovation activities requires us to understand the social context of innovation and the potential needs of innovation users and, based on this, to co-construct technology and society simultaneously. Effective 'demand articulation' activities such as the understanding and utilization of user experiences and socio-technical planning are prerequisites for carrying out post-catch up innovations shaping new trajectories and contributing to solving social problems. Living Lab has recently been emerging particularly in Europe as an 'user-driven innovation model', in which users are active participants in innovation activities. The purpose of this study is to contribute to a theoretical discussion of Living Lab as an user-driven innovation model, to make a brief review of cases of Living Lab and to explore Living Lab's applicability in the Korean context. Living Lab is an open innovation model, in which end suers actively participate in innovation processes in a particular geographical space or region and would be able to solve specific problems of that space or region. In that sense, Living Lab would be able to strengthen the problem-solving capabilities of local communities and to become a pioneer in inducing and realizing a new socio-technical system. Furthermore, Living Lab could become an innovative policy tool reflecting recent major changes in innovation policy paradigms such as post-catch up innovation, demand-oriented innovation, regional innovation, societal innovation, innovation eco-system and socio-technical system transition, and thus make a contribution to exploring a new way of bringing about changes in the Korean society.