The Spatial Structure of University Patent-Based Technology Transfer in Korea: Evidence from Patent Assignments and Exclusive Licenses

Yoonsik Chae; Jongheon Park

doi:10.22776/kgs.2026.61.4.632

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2026 Vol.61, Issue 4 Preview Page

The Spatial Structure of University Patent-Based Technology Transfer in Korea: Evidence from Patent Assignments and Exclusive Licenses 한국 대학 특허 기반 기술이전의 공간구조 - 특허 양도와 전용실시권을 중심으로 -

31 August 2026. pp. 632-649

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Abstract

This study analyzes the spatial structure of university patent-based technology transfer in Korea, distinguishing patent assignments from exclusive licenses of registered patents transferred from Korean universities to domestic private firms between 2001 and 2020. The results show that university patent-based technology transfer began to increase in the late 2000s and expanded rapidly after the mid-2010s, and that this growth was driven mainly by patent assignments. Spatially, Seoul and Daejeon emerged as major supply regions, while Seoul and Gyeonggi functioned as major demand regions. Interregional linkages were centered on transfers toward firm demand in the Seoul metropolitan area, complemented by intra-regional linkages between non-metropolitan regional cities and neighboring areas. Gravity model estimates show that distance and administrative boundaries were significantly associated with technology transfer flows even after controlling for supply and demand volumes by region, year, and technology field, and that flows from non-metropolitan universities to firms in the Seoul metropolitan area were significantly larger. These findings suggest that university patent-based technology transfer cannot be explained solely by localized spillovers around universities, but is formed within a structure that combines a Capital Region–centered spatial hierarchy with intra-regional linkages.

Keywords

University

University-Industry Cooperation

Technology Transfer

Patent Assignment

Exclusive License

본 연구는 2001년부터 2020년까지 한국 대학에서 국내 민간기업으로 이전된 등록특허를 대상으로, 특허 양도와 전용실시권을 구분하여 대학 특허 기반 기술이전의 공간구조를 분석하였다. 분석 결과, 대학 특허 기술이전은 2000년대 후반 이후 증가하기 시작하여 2010년대 중반 이후 빠르게 확대되었다. 공간적으로는 서울, 대전 등 대학･연구 거점이 주요 공급지역으로, 서울과 경기 등 수도권 지역이 주요 수요지역으로 나타났다. 지역 간 연결구조는 수도권 기업수요로 향하는 광역적 이전과 비수도권 광역대도시와 인접지역 간 연결이 동시에 나타났다. 중력모형 분석 결과, 기술분야와 연도별 지역 공급 및 수요 규모를 통제한 이후에도 거리와 행정경계는 기술이전 흐름과 뚜렷한 관련성을 보였으며, 비수도권 대학에서 수도권 기업으로 향하는 기술이전의 흐름도 유의하게 나타났다. 이는 대학 특허 기술이전이 대학 소재지역 내부의 파급효과만으로 설명되지 않으며, 수도권 중심의 공간적 계층성과 권역 내부 연결이 결합된 구조 속에서 형성됨을 보여준다.

키워드

대학

산학협력

기술이전

특허 양도

전용실시권(라이선스)

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Information

Publisher :The Korean Geographical Society
Publisher(Ko) :대한지리학회
Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
Journal Title(Ko) :대한지리학회지
Volume : 61
No :4
Pages :632-649
Received Date : 2026-07-11
Revised Date : 2026-08-25
Accepted Date : 2026-08-27
DOI :https://doi.org/10.22776/kgs.2026.61.4.632

Journal of the Korean Geographical Society ISSN:1225-6633(Print) 대한지리학회지

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