Circulative Linkages of Regional Knowledge Activities: Empirical Evidence from the Korean Case

Abstract

AbstractThis paper argues that there are circulative linkages between knowledge creation, sharing and utilization in regional innovative clusters. Based upon discussions about characteristics of circulative linkages between three types of knowledge activities, this paper presents three hypotheses: the more regions generate knowledge, the more active they tend to share knowledge; the more regions share knowledge, the more vigorous they tend to utilize knowledge; and the more regions generate knowledge, the more vigorously they utilize knowledge. Empirical analysis into the South Korean case showed that regions with higher knowledge generation have stronger knowledge-sharing and knowledge-utilization activities, strongly supporting the hypotheses. However, taking a weak corelation between knowledge sharing and knowledge utilization into account, it is suggested that regions with active knowledge sharing do not automatically lead to stronger knowledge utilization. There should be an effective policy measure for leading active knowledge sharing to active knowledge utilization. This study helps guide provincial governments in choosing policy goals to promote knowledge activities so as to accelerate regional innovation. It also leads to the conclusion that maintaining balance among the three types of knowledge activities (creation, sharing, and utilization) is a way to make policies that promote regional innovative clusters.