Policy Values of Technological Innovation Support Policies for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: South Korean Stakeholder Differences and Consensus

Small and medium-ized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in the South Korean economy, and policies supporting their technological innovation are of significant importance. Despite substantial government efforts in this regard, opinions on the efficiency and values underlying these policies vary. This study examines the policy values shaping technological innovation support policies for SMEs and explores stakeholder differences and consensus. Drawing on conflicting values such as excellence vs. universality, autonomy vs. accountability, and economic effects vs. publicness, the research analyzes responses from 51 stakeholders, including SMEs, university researchers, research institution researchers, and government officials. The findings reveal divergent perceptions among stakeholders, emphasizing the value-based policy redesign to better support technological innovation in SMEs.