This study examines the factors driving the diffusion of technological innovation across economic, societal, and policy domains. Using a systematic literature review and qualitative content analysis, it develops an analytic framework grounded in an integrated innovation model that extends existing innovation theories. It identifies three sources of influence—environment, technology, and conversion—that are crucial to the diffusion of innovation. Findings suggest that successful innovation diffusion requires coordinated interactions among technology, economy, society, and policy, highlighting the role of governmental intervention and policy innovation. The study contributes to understanding the co-evolution of innovation across multiple social domains and offers practical insights for integrative innovation policies in the digital transformation era. Future research should quantitatively validate and refine the identified diffusion factors.
Climate technology (CT) is increasingly used as a strategic tool in diplomacy. Nevertheless, existing research treats it primarily as technology transfer or aid and fails to explain how it generates national influence. This study proposes Market-Driven Climate Technology Diplomacy (MCTD) as a mechanism through which CT progresses from R&D outcomes to diplomatic capital by building trust, institutional legitimacy, and market acceptance. A sequential mixed-method design combined expert FGIs across five Asian countries and validation by international practitioners and policy experts. Results show that CT-based diplomacy is effective only when three conditions align: technologies address local demand, their performance is verified through joint demonstration and international certification, and financial feasibility is ensured through blended finance and public–private partnerships. The MCTD framework demonstrates how technical credibility is converted into policy legitimacy and Soft Power, offering a scalable pathway for leveraging climate innovation in diplomacy.
The “One District One Product” (ODOP) program, initiated by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in 2018, is a strategic plan to foster inclusive economic growth through the specialization of every district in a distinctive product—largely based on local crafts and traditional industries. The ODOP scheme’s design, implementation strategies, and its applicability in reviving the state’s moribund handicraft industry are discussed in this conceptual paper. The research borrows from the concept of endogenous development and utilizes a systematic review of literature as per PRISMA guidelines to make a comparative analysis between ODOP and two internationally acclaimed models: Japan’s One Village One Product (OVOP) and Thailand's One Tambon One Product (OTOP) projects. Although the three schemes have a common goal of enhancing local economies as well as cultural identity, they vary in genesis, administrative frameworks, involvement of stakeholders, and support structures. The results highlight the hybrid nature of ODOP, with top-down support complemented by bottom-up community engagement, setting it apart from its equivalents. The research concludes that applying international best practices at local levels can greatly boost the sustainability and impact of product-based development models. The article also calls for additional empirical studies on the socio-economic effects of ODOP in India.
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.
This paper analyzes the impact of research and development (R&D) activities, such as regional R&D budget allocation and workforce development, on regional economic growth. The premise is that industrial advancement in regions propels economic growth and that R&D activities are key to adding high value to these industries. This study examines the heterogeneous impacts of R&D inputs and innovation outputs on regional economic performance across South Korean provinces from 2011 to 2021. Using a dynamic panel dataset and applying both two-way fixed effects (FE) and system GMM estimators, the analysis addresses econometric challenges identified in previous studies—including autocorrelation, heteroskedasticity, endogeneity, and multicollinearity—ensuring robustness through model comparison and specification testing. The findings demonstrate substantial regional variation in the effectiveness of R&D investments: manufacturing-driven regions such as Ulsan exhibit high Gross Value Added (GVA) per capita despite relatively modest R&D intensity, while research-oriented regions such as Daejeon and Sejong show high R&D expenditures that do not translate into short-term productivity gains. These results suggest that the relationship between R&D and economic performance is mediated by industrial structure, absorptive capacity, and the degree of commercialization embedded within regional innovation systems. Although additional structural variables—such as industrial composition, educational attainment, and foreign direct investment—could further strengthen the analysis, consistent annual regional-level data for these indicators were not available during the study period. As more refined datasets emerge, future research will incorporate these dimensions to better capture the mechanisms through which R&D contributes to regional growth. Overall, this study reinforces the theoretical link between innovation and economic development and highlights the need for differentiated, region-specific R&D policy strategies that emphasize output quality, human-capital-based investment, and system-level integration rather than aggregate input expansion.
Scientific and Technological Innovation (STI) is a major driver of urban and regional development, yet policy has traditionally been dominated by technical experts, limiting public influence despite the societal and ethical implications of technological choices. This study examines the intersection of inclusive STI and urban governance, focusing on citizen participation in shaping technological innovation and smart city development, with particular reference to Busan. A case study of Eco-Delta City highlights governance innovations—including redefined Master Planner roles, a Special Purpose Company, and joint central-local oversight—that enable effective public engagement. Findings underscore the importance of data sovereignty, collaborative governance, and structured citizen participation in fostering socially robust, democratically legitimate, and technologically responsive urban development.