Formulating and Managing the HAN Projects in Korea: Lessons and Policy Implications for Developing Countries

Abstract

This paper reviews the historical development of Koreas national system of innovation (NSI) with special reference to Highly Advanced National (HAN) projects, and explains their background, objectives, characteristics, management processes and policy implications. HAN Projects, characterised as large-scale, leading-edge and long-term R&D programmes with a view to the 21st century, are well planned, result-oriented, systematically managed, and facilitate co-operation among members of the NSI and government ministries. Korean experiences with the development of these projects provide some lessons for the strategic management of national R&D programmes in industrialising countries.