Innovation and Networks in Industrial Clusters: Empirical Results from Three Large Cities - Technopolis: Best Practices for Science and Technology Cities - page 269

As for Gwangju photonics industrial cluster, the customers exist in the SMA, and
the level of critical mass is not satisfactory. Therefore, despite diverse promising
bases for innovation, it remains at the early stage of the cluster formation. In terms
of the R&D cooperation network, while the research and innovation activities
among universities and research institutes occur within Gwangju, it depends on the
SMA for the research and innovation activities with the customers.
Compared to the above regions, in Daejeon ICT industrial cluster, there exist
abundant resources for innovation such as research institutes, venture companies,
universities and supporting institutions. However, since Daejeon does not reach
the critical mass which can realize self-reliance, the role of leading enterprises
which can provide the backward and forward linkages to local firms, would be
critical for future strategies. Concerning practical strategies, Daejeon need to
utilize the R&D special zone project.
4.2 Policy Conclusions
The efficiency of the innovation system is the key determinant of national and
regional competitiveness in the Knowledge-based Economy. Innovation and
knowledge generation take place as result of a variety of activities and networks
such as user-producer relationships, academy-industry links and spin-offs.
In particular, cooperation is an essential part of the innovation process for most
of the innovative firms. Due to the fact that innovation is by far more than a stand-
alone activity, policies should be directed toward the systemic aspect of innovation
rather than be targeted toward isolated actors. The analysis shows that the presence
and quality of the public research infrastructure (universities and public research
institutes) and its links to industry are one of the most important assets for sup-
porting innovation.
What can be drawn as policy conclusions from this analysis? It is clear that the
basic considerations are also valid for innovation systems in other metropolitan
regions. But due to the fact that the structures of innovation-related interactions
and institutional environments are different by region and industry, the actual
measures should be specific in each region and industry. For the three metropolitan
strategic industries, the following measures seem to be necessary to improve the
innovative performance of firms.
Firstly, it is necessary to induce clients and key firms into the region and
strengthen the network with clients. As for Gwangju and Daejeon, it is necessary
to induce customers in the SMA and overseas customers into the region, and
expand the size of the cluster, in order to obtain the scale as well. As for Busan, it
seems that the critical mass has been already achieved; therefore, the required
strategies are to induce public research institutes that are mechanical parts and
materials industry-related, and strengthen the network with them.
Secondly, policies concerned with innovation should consider the cooperative
aspects of innovation in the Busan mechanical parts and materials industry. For