A Study on the Innovation Performance and Territorial Servitization in the Knowledge-intensive Business Service (KIBS): Focusing on the Seoul Metropolitan Area and the Chungcheong Region

This study analyzes the innovation performance of knowledge-intensive business service (KIBS) and territorial servitization, aiming to derive academic and policy implications for fostering KIBS and achieving territorial servitization. The results show that IPRs creation activities positively influenced innovation performance only in the Seoul metropolitan area, while cooperation partnerships and innovative environments had positive effects on innovation performance in both the regions. Regarding innovation cooperation partnerships, collaboration with competitors within the same industry was most crucial in the Seoul metropolitan area and Chungcheong metropolitan cities. However, in the provincial areas of the Chungcheong region, internal and affiliate cooperation was found to be most important. In terms of territorial servitization, KIBS firms located in the provincial areas of that region were shown to generate innovation performance through linkages with manufacturing clients. Therefore, differentiated policy approaches are essential to enhance the innovation performance, alongside policy support for fostering collaborative partnerships and innovation environments. Comprehensive support policies are needed to promote territorial servitization strategies in non-metropolitan areas.