The Korean Society for Innovation Management and Economics (KOSIME) and Institute for Government Studies, Korea University, together with the RADMA and the R&D Management, invite you to our inaugural R&D Management Workshop 2026 in Seoul.

The Republic of Korea, the land of the calm morning, is called one of the four tigers of Asia and has established itself as a country that has successfully achieved economic growth based on technological innovation. Korea has developed a unique model of technological innovation that has attracted the attention of both developed and developing countries and has actively engaged in exchanges with technological innovation scholars from Asia and around the world, contributing to strengthening in-depth academic discussions in the fields of technological innovation and R&D management. This workshop aims to connect and develop this scholarly community in Korea, Asia and over the world and create visibility and accessibility for R&D Management for scholars in the region.

In terms of scholarly content, this R&D Management Workshop attempts to address the challenges, dynamics and trends of R&D management in Korea, Asia and the world. The goal is to better understand the progress of R&D and innovation management, strategy, and policy by addressing key issues in research and practice. These bear significant implications for scholars, practitioners and policymakers alike. The two-day workshop will include both a scholarly a social program, including a variety of sessions, as well as lunches, coffee breaks, and a joint workshop social dinner.

We look forward to connecting with all of you in Seoul!

Joonmo Ahn, Korea University
Program Chair

Theme 1. R&D Management in the era of AI

• How is AI reshaping R&D and innovation processes across industries?
• How does AI transform the role of human expertise in R&D and innovation management?
• What organizational structure do we need to cope with AI transformation?
• What ethical and regulatory challenges emerge with AI?

Theme 2. AI application and industrial AI

• How does AI enhance productivity?
• What are the barriers and enablers of AI adoption and diffusion in firms?
• What organizational capabilities are required to scale industrial AI?

Theme 3. How to open R&D? – New R&D collaboration among the technology sovereignty

• How does open innovation accelerate frontier technologies (e.g., quantum, AI, biotech)?
• How can international R&D collaboration be balanced with national technology sovereignty?
• How do firms navigate geopolitical tensions in cross-border R&D collaboration?

Theme 4. New Industry – Beyond dichotomy of Manufacturing and Service

• How do AI and digital technology blur the boundary between manufacturing and service?
• What new value chains emerge in industries combining physical and digital outputs?
• How does AI accelerate the convergence of manufacturing and service into new industry modes?

Theme 5. Transformative innovation policy

• What governance approaches support and/or discourage transformative innovation in the era of AI?
• In what ways can AI and digital technologies be embedded into transformative policy frameworks?
• How can innovation policy drive societal transformation in the AI era?

(1) Extended Abstract

Extended abstracts (up to 1,000 words, including references) must be submitted by Feb 20, 2026 to rnd.seoul.2026@gmail.com.
Each author may submit up to two extended abstracts.
Notification of acceptance will be sent by Mar 20, 2026.

(2) Full papers

Authors with accepted abstracts will be invited to submit a full paper (2,500–4,000 words, including references) by Apr 15, 2026.
Papers should be submitted as a PDF document and must include a 150–word abstract.
Full papers will be automatically accepted, provided that at least one author registers for the conference.

• Keynote Speaker

  Prof. Tim Minshall
  University of Cambridge

• Keynote Speaker

  Dr. Woohyung Lim
  Head of LG AI Research

• Editor-in-Chief R&D Management Journal

  Prof. Alberto Di Minin
  Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna

• President of KOSIME & Associate Editor R&D Management Journal

  Prof. Joon Mo Ahn
  Korea University

• Associate Editor R&D Management Journal

  Prof. Andrea Piccaluga
  Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna

• Associate Editor R&D Management Journal

  Prof. Letizia Mortara
  University of Cambridge

• Editor Research Policy Journal

  Prof. Lee Keun
  Chung-Ang University

• Editor Research Policy Journal

  Prof. Kazuyuki Motohashi
  University of Tokyo

• Editor Science and Public Policy Journal

  Prof. Jeong-Dong Lee
  Seoul National University

• Former Editor-in-Chief R&D Management Journal

  Prof. Ellen Enkel
  University of Duisburg-Essen

• Associate Editor Technovation Journal

  Prof. Yuan Zhou
  Tsinghua University

• Editors-in-Chief Technological Forecasting and Social Change Journal

  Prof. Mei-Chih Hu
  National Tsing Hua University

DAY1

DAY2

Important Dates

Registration Rates

Registration rates for the 2026 R&D Management Workshop will be announced in early 2026.
Please check back for updates as more information becomes available.

How to Register

Details regarding the registration process will be announced in early 2026.
Registration will open in February 2026.

Accommodations

The following hotels are recommended for accommodation and offer special rates.

Workshop Contact

rnd.seoul.2026@gmail.com

Opportunities for R&D Management Journal Special Issue

TBC

RADMA is focused on the needs of researchers, practitioners and students of research technology and innovation management. It is closely associated with the R&D Management Journal and conferences. RADMA also supports R&D Today, its outreach website, highlighting useful research, tools and case-studies for practitioners and R&D managers https://www.rndtoday.co.uk/
RADMA and the R&D Management organize an international R&D Management Conference every year. In 2025, it took place in Pisa (Italy) and in June 2026, it will take place in Manchester (UK). The conference hosted over 750 scholars and practitioners in Stockholm(2024) and around 600 in Pisa(2025).

Over the last 30 years R&D Management Conferences have been held in number of venues mainly in European countries but also, for example, India, Amsterdam, New Zealand, Taiwan and Canada. The conference is well respected and provides a valuable means of communication and exchange of ideas as well as quality papers, which authors are encouraged to submit for publication through the usual refereeing procedures of the R&D Management Journal as well as other leading journals in the field.
RADMA has supported R&D Management Workshops that aim to strengthen relations within national and regional communities of R&D researchers and practitioners beyond Europe, where the main conference is usually held. Most participants in these workshops come from the organizing country or region, although some travel from further afield.

In 2026, the R&D Management Workshop is organised in collaboration with Korea University and KOSIME (The Korean Society for Technology Management & Economics).

Korea University is the first private comprehensive higher education institution in Korea, founded in 1905. With over 33,000 students from across Korea and around the world, the university comprises 18 colleges and 18 graduate schools.
Facts and Figures:
· 61st Top universities in the world (QS World Rankings 2026)
· 3rd in Korea (Business & Management Studies and Social Policy & Administration)
· Est. 1905. The oldest comprehensive university in Korea
· 370,000+ university alumni worldwide

The Korean Society for Technology Management & Economics (KOSIME) was founded on June 23, 1992, to foster academic advancement through interdisciplinary research on technological innovation, to develop and disseminate new theories and knowledge, to propose effective management strategies for industrial technology innovation, to contribute to the formulation of national science and technology policies and technology development strategies, and to promote science- and technology-driven social transformation.