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Determinants of research productivity in Korean Universities: the role of research funding

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  • Young-Hwan Lee

    (Won-Kwang Health Science University)

Abstract

University research is a vital source of innovation, and government funds are often used to support innovative research programs. As such, universities are pressured to demonstrate returns on investments through tangible research outcomes. This study analyzed how university resources affect research productivity, using data from 95 4-year universities in Korea from 2009 to 2017. Explanatory variables were remuneration, performance-based payments, and expenditures on research, experiments, machines, and books. Research productivity indices were the numbers of Korea Citation Index (KCI) and Science Citation Index (SCI) publications, authored books, patents attained, and licensing revenue. Considering that research productivity measures are related, this study used a seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model. The SUR model analysis showed that SCI, patents, and licensing revenue were correlated and resources differentially affected research productivity. Full-time faculty remuneration, performance-based payments, and research expenditure were significant variables in determining SCI, patents, and licensing revenue. Results of quadratic form regression showed that research productivity increased when full-time faculty remuneration increased, but these gains were limited by the law of marginal diminishing returns. However, the performance-based payment variable showed opposite results, reflecting the law of marginal increasing returns. Combined results will help universities set their strategic direction, efficiently allocate their resources, and promote understanding about university functions.

Suggested Citation

  • Young-Hwan Lee, 2021. "Determinants of research productivity in Korean Universities: the role of research funding," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(5), pages 1462-1486, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:jtecht:v:46:y:2021:i:5:d:10.1007_s10961-020-09817-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10961-020-09817-2
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    4. Maxim A. Yurevich, 2022. "Factors of Growth in Income from Research Activities in Universities of the Russian Federation," Journal of Applied Economic Research, Graduate School of Economics and Management, Ural Federal University, vol. 21(4), pages 795-817.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Research productivity; R&D resources; Panel data analysis; Korean universities;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I22 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Educational Finance; Financial Aid
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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