The Strategic Transformation from Innovation Cluster to
Digital Innovation Cluster during and after COVID-19
Deok Soon Yim*, Wangdong Kim**, Young-ho Nam***
Abstract It is generally known that a Science and Technology Park – as a
representative example of an Innovation Cluster - produces network synergy
among industry, university, research institutes, and other innovation actors in a
specific area, so that it has a competitive edge over other regions in technological
innovation. However, as the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic unfolds,
it has become necessary to reduce face-to-face contacts and this could lead to
lesser network synergy being produced in an Innovation Cluster. With this
background, this research was designed and conducted to evaluate how COVID-
19 has changed the activities in Innovation Clusters and explore future
development scenarios. In order to find out the changes occurring in an
Innovation Cluster, a survey was conducted among the people in Science and
Technology Parks. The survey result shows that people are experiencing
difficulties in technological innovation and support activities, and face-to-face
contacts have been reduced in the Innovation Cluster. A scenario planning
sought to explore the future development of the Innovation Cluster. It suggests
that the transformation into a Digital Innovation Cluster, which is less affected
by physical distance, but can still maintain the effectiveness of the networks, can
be the key strategy for the future Innovation Cluster.
Keywords Innovation Cluster, Digital Innovation Cluster, Virtual
Innovation Cluster, University Industry Research Institute Network,
Technological Innovation, Coronavirus, COVID-19
Submitted, August 12, 2020; 1st Revised, August 27, 2020; Accepted, August 27, 2020
* Corresponding, Senior Research Fellow, Science and Technology Policy Institute, Sejong
city, Korea; yimdeoks@stepi.re.kr
** Senior Research Fellow, Strategy, Science and Technology Policy Institute, Sejong city,
Korea; wangdkim@stepi.re.kr
*** Executive Secretary, Asian Science Park Association; yhnam@cyberaspa.org
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