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. 2017 Dec;6(4):409-417.
doi: 10.1016/j.imr.2017.08.006. Epub 2017 Sep 6.

Current status and future prospects of research and development operations in traditional and complementary and alternative medicine manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises: a 2014 company-based survey

Miyoung Ahn  1 , Eun-Ji Park  2 , Jong-Min Woo  1
Affiliations

Current status and future prospects of research and development operations in traditional and complementary and alternative medicine manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises: a 2014 company-based survey

Miyoung Ahn et al. Integr Med Res. 2017 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have played key roles in the economic growth and technical innovation of traditional and complementary and alternative medicine (T&CM). Research and development (R&D) are critical activities for industrial progress. This study aimed to characterize the current status of SME R&D activities and to explore manufacturers' perceptions of R&D expansion.

Methods: Records of the distribution of T&CM SMEs and R&D resources detailed in the 2014 Statistics of Korea T&CM Industries survey, a previously conducted survey on the industrial status of the T&CM field, were reviewed. Data on the perceptions of R&D activities were investigated through a company-based survey covering 285 T&CM-manufacturing SMEs.

Results: Greater than 99% of the 13,636 T&CM manufacturers at the time of the study were SMEs employing less than 50 workers. Natural cosmetics manufacturing SMEs (NC SMEs) had the highest R&D expenditures. NC SMEs rely heavily on internal R&D operations, which may contribute to their strong need for R&D collaboration with public research institutions and expanded T&CM-promoted R&D programs. "Digestive system disorders" are the main target diseases for current herbal and dietary supplement manufacturing SMEs and herbal medicine manufacturing SMEs. These SMEs tend to view their own product-related business as a priority for future R&D investment.

Conclusion: This study represents the first attempt to assess SME perceptions of R&D activities. The findings herein can inform the design of sustainable programs that support R&D by reducing the gaps between the perspectives of T&CM product makers and policymakers.

Keywords: R&D; SME; South Korea; T&CM; survey.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Current R&D modes in T&CM SMEs. SMEs represent manufacturers employing less than 50 workers. HDS SMEs, herbal and dietary supplement manufacturing SMEs; HM SMEs, herbal medicine manufacturing SMEs; MD SME, T&CM-related medical device manufacturing SMEs; NC SMEs, and natural cosmetics manufacturing SMEs; R&D; research and development; SMEs, small- and medium-sized enterprises; T&CM, traditional and complementary and alternative medicine.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Potential target diseases of currently manufactured products. Disease categories are based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10), with modifications (World Health Organization, 1992). The Roman numerals in parentheses indicate the relevant ICD-10 codes. *The term “Malignancies” was denoted as “anticancer drug” on the Korean version of the questionnaire. HDS, herbal and dietary supplement; HM, herbal medicine; MD, T&CM-related medical device; NC, natural cosmetics; SMEs, small- and medium-sized enterprises; T&CM, traditional and complementary and alternative medicine.
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