Classification of strategy types for global R&D collaboration: An analysis of Korea’s partnerships with developing countries

In this study, we classify strategies for global R&D cooperation between South Korea and developing countries based on national innovation and stability and explore practical ways for South Korea to establish cooperative relationships with developing countries. Grounded in the hypothesis that cooperation strategies should consider innovation and stability in each country, we conducted a cluster analysis examining R&D cooperation projects by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOCIA) and the National Science and Technology Information Service (NTIS) from 2020 to 2022. We identified the four main types of cooperation: joint research, personnel exchange, network building, and infrastructure development, and classified these types according to innovation and stability. Countries with higher innovation levels were more likely to favor personnel exchange and joint research, while those with more excellent stability focused more on infrastructure development and joint research. When South Korea pursues R&D cooperation with developing countries, the differences in innovation and stability between countries influence the type of cooperation, which is a critical factor in strategy formulation. Based on these results, we propose that plans for cooperation be tailored to each cooperative situation to enhance South Korea’s international competitiveness in science and technology. We offer advice regarding how global R&D cooperation by South Korea may develop more systematically in an uncertain international environment, ultimately helping to redefine South Korea’s international role and secure long-term stability.