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Abstract: This paper examines the strategic use of intermediaries by companies to better meet their technology needs from the resource-based theory and network theory perspectives. The results of this study are based on a sample of Korean IT companies and indicate the particular importance of cooperation with government support organizations and public R&D institutions in building relational assets. Intermediaries played a crucial role in enabling and facilitating joint development projects and promoting technology transfer among the companies in general. The results of this study suggest that intermediaries, as they are linked to other organizations within networks and are centrally situated within those networks where information and resource flow, can coordinate and control the exchange of information and resources within networks and enjoy timely and privileged access to such information, giving them the means to expand their strategic social capital. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In recent years, the concept of Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) has evolved into a widely used analytical framework for sustainable economic development. But in reality, the RIS does not seem to be workable due to the lack of governance. To reduce this operational risk, the emphasis on the structure as well as network management of the system should be merged into a more market-oriented as well as performance-oriented governance. In Korea, there are seven RISs among 14 regions nationwide. Empirically, they are not very sustainable. Thus, the article proposes the role of metamediary for the facilitation, network service provision, and collaboration of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]