Abstract

This study analyzes Korea’s Industrial Technology Research Association (ITRA) as a unique institutional platform for open innovation. Addressing rising R&D costs and SME entry barriers, ITRA bridges the “Valley of Death” by pooling resources and fostering trust. This paper makes a distinct contribution to the STI policy debate by conceptualizing ITRA as an “ambidextrous platform” that uniquely integrates efficiency-focused “Cooperative Research” and synergy-oriented “Collaborative Research.” While prior studies often view these as separate stages, we argue that ITRA enables a dynamic transition between them through its industry-led governance. Empirical evidence from diverse industries, analyzed through a comparative framework of governance and IP regimes against US, German, and Japanese models, demonstrates the uniqueness of the Korean approach. The study concludes that ITRA offers valuable policy lessons for nations seeking to strengthen innovation ecosystems by balancing efficiency and creativity.