Reorganizing the R&D System to Promote an Innovation-Based ...

management and marketing recorded only a small portion as observed in Table 4 and
Table 5.
Table 4 Categories of innovations for manufacturing industry of Taiwan in 2003
Manufacturing Products Technology Manufacturing Organizational Marketing
Industry
Process Management
Electronics 49% 33% 15% 0% 3%
Non-electronics 34% 30% 17% 9% 10%
Source: Conference materials of 2003 Science and Technology Meeting of the
Executive Yuan, R.O.C, investigated by Industrial Economics and Knowledge Center
(IEK), ITRI
Table 5 Categories of Innovations for Service Industry of Taiwan in 2003
Contents
of Services
Procedures of
Service Providing
Organizational Marketing Customizati
Management
on
Service 33% 22% 15% 16% 13%
Industry
Source: Conference materials of 2003 Science and Technology Meeting of the
Executive Yuan, R.O.C, investigated by IEK, ITRI.
It should be noted that inputs of science and technology can be a major driving
force for the innovation-based economy, but an efficient innovation network is more
crucial for capitalizing on the effort made. However, current systems for science
research and technology development of Taiwan are undermined by such problems as
unexploited linkages between industry and universities. Therefore, there is a need to
strengthen the structural networking interfaces in the innovation networks, especially
interactions between industry and universities.
4. Current status of interactions between industry and universities
4.1 In retrospect
Taiwan has been a “fast follower” in economic development. A stylized division
of labor within the current innovation system could be categorized as follows.
Universities carry out academic research and training of talent. Industrial technology
research institutes conduct technology introduction, value addition, and technology
diffusion. Industry is doing technology absorption and product manufacturing. The
development of the economy is effectively supported through efficient interactions
among three groups.
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