Comment on “The Evolution of University–Industry Linkages in Thailand”

IF 4.5 3区 经济学 Q1 ECONOMICS Asian Economic Policy Review Pub Date : 2023-04-01 DOI:10.1111/aepr.12430
Saowaruj Rattanakhamfu
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引用次数: 1

Abstract

Thailand has set itself the target of becoming a developed country by 2037. To achieve this goal, the nation must enhance its technological capabilities to produce higher-value-added products. Over the past two decades, Thailand has worked to improve its competitiveness through innovation by increasing research and development (R&D) investment. The country's gross domestic expenditure on R&D (GERD) rose from 0.25% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2000 to 1.33% in 2020. This is driven by a significant increase in private sector R&D expenditure, which rose from 35% of total GERD in 2000 to 68% in 2020. However, firms' R&D output performance, as measured by granted patents, has seen slower progress (Rattanakhamfu & Itthiphatwong, 2019). Some have argued that this is due to weak university-industry linkages (UILs).

In fact, 15 years ago, Brimble and Doner (2007) emphasized the role of university–industry linkages (UILs) in Thailand's technological competencies. Based on their analysis of four sectors—the automotive sector, the textile and garment sector, the agro-industry, and the electronics sector—Brimble and Doner concluded that Thai UILs played a very limited role in the country's economic development. They attributed weak UILs to low competition in the domestic market, inefficient structures and weak incentives in Thai universities, and the fragmentation of the Thai bureaucracy.

Intarakumnerd and Jutarosaga (2023) contribute to the existing literature by examining the role of UILs in three sectors, namely the automotive sector, the electronics sector, and the pharmaceutical sector, based on their analysis of R&D and Innovation (RDI) Surveys between 2014 and 2018 and case studies. They find that despite significant development in the higher education system over the past two decades, Thailand's UILs remain weak. Most UIL activities focus on human resource development, particularly student internships and employee training. Research-related linkages are particularly weak. Among the sectors studied, the pharmaceutical and electronics industries appear to have stronger ties with universities than the automotive sector.

In summary, Intarakumnerd and Jutarosaga offer valuable insights into the evolution of UILs in Thailand. To further enhance their contribution to the field, Intarakumnerd and Jutarosaga should consider the following revisions:

First, by providing descriptive statistics on the firms in the sample so that readers can understand the firms' characteristics from the RDI survey, such as firm size and nationality. Although Intarakumnerd and Jutarosaga argue that there is a bias towards large firms, as all have asset sizes of more than THB 10 million, this is not the case when firm size is measured by sales. In fact, the proportion of small, medium, and large firms are relatively equal (each around 30%–39%) in all survey years.

Second, by offering recommendations to improve not only student internships but also other underdeveloped UIL forms in Thailand, such as research partnerships, technology transfers, and industry-sponsored research.

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评“泰国大学与产业联系的演变”
泰国为自己设定了到2037年成为发达国家的目标。为了实现这一目标,国家必须提高技术能力,生产更高附加值的产品。在过去的二十年里,泰国通过增加研发投资,努力通过创新提高竞争力。该国用于研发的国内总支出;D(GERD)占国内生产总值的比例从2000年的0.25%上升到2020年的1.33%。这是由私营部门R&;D支出,从2000年占GERD总额的35%上升到2020年的68%。然而,企业的R&;D输出性能,以授予的专利衡量,进展较慢(Rattanakhamfu&;Itthiphatwong,2019)。一些人认为这是由于大学与产业之间的联系薄弱 几年前,Brimble和Doner(2007)强调了大学与产业联系(UIL)在泰国技术能力中的作用。根据对汽车行业、纺织服装行业、农产工业和电子行业四个行业的分析,Brimble和Doner得出结论,泰国UIL在该国经济发展中发挥的作用非常有限。他们将UIL薄弱归因于国内市场的低竞争、泰国大学的低效结构和薄弱激励以及泰国官僚机构的分裂。Intarakumnerd和Jutarosaga(2023)根据他们对R&;2014年至2018年的研发与创新(RDI)调查和案例研究。他们发现,尽管在过去二十年中高等教育系统取得了重大发展,但泰国的UIL仍然薄弱。UIL的大多数活动侧重于人力资源开发,特别是学生实习和员工培训。与研究有关的联系尤其薄弱。在所研究的行业中,制药和电子行业似乎比汽车行业与大学的联系更紧密。总之,Intarakumnerd和Jutarosaga对泰国UIL的演变提供了宝贵的见解。为了进一步提高他们对该领域的贡献,Intarakumnerd和Jutarosaga应该考虑以下修订:首先,提供样本中公司的描述性统计数据,以便读者能够从RDI调查中了解公司的特征,如公司规模和国籍。尽管Intarakumnerd和Jutarosaga认为存在对大公司的偏见,因为所有公司的资产规模都超过1000万泰铢,但当公司规模以销售额衡量时,情况并非如此。事实上,在所有调查年份中,小型、中型和大型公司的比例相对相等(各约30%-39%)。其次,提出建议,不仅要改善学生实习,还要改善泰国其他不发达的UIL形式,如研究伙伴关系、技术转让和行业赞助的研究。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
12.90
自引率
2.60%
发文量
39
期刊介绍: The goal of the Asian Economic Policy Review is to become an intellectual voice on the current issues of international economics and economic policy, based on comprehensive and in-depth analyses, with a primary focus on Asia. Emphasis is placed on identifying key issues at the time - spanning international trade, international finance, the environment, energy, the integration of regional economies and other issues - in order to furnish ideas and proposals to contribute positively to the policy debate in the region.
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