Quantum game strategy solution for R&D cartel: Reorganizing government R&D investment strategy in Korea.

This study reevaluates criticism of the Korean government's R&D investment strategy, which was considered an 'R&D cartel' and was cited as a reason for the Korean government's R&D cuts in 2023, through an advanced framework of quantum game theory. By modeling the interaction between the government and researchers as a quantum information strategy game, it redefines the dynamics of R&D investment as a quantum game involving two key players: the R&D manager (Alice) and the research performer (Bob). This quantum game, akin to the Prisoner's Dilemma but focused on responsibility and sincerity, allows for the exploration of strategic complexities and decision-making dynamics not possible in classical models. It introduces quantum entanglement and superposition as innovative strategies to shift the paradigm of R&D investment, suggesting that terms like 'R&D bureaucracy' and 'R&D monopoly' more accurately describe the moral hazards in this sector than 'R&D cartel'. Through simulations, the paper demonstrates how quantum strategies can significantly alter outcomes, providing fresh insights and policy alternatives for R&D innovation. This research not only challenges conventional investment frameworks but also proposes a novel approach for achieving Pareto optimal outcomes in government R&D investments, emphasizing the transformative potential of quantum game theory in strategic decision-making and policy development.
Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
(Copyright: © 2024 Won et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)