Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to examine the effect of SMEs' R&D competence on management performance. Research design, data, and methodology: The empirical data of this study are derived from 2,375 SMEs that participated in the material, parts, and equipment research and development support project conducted from 2014 to 2018. Among them, 2,230 data were analyzed by classifying them into high-tech and low-tech fields. SPSS 24.0 was used for statistical analysis and correlation analysis and T-TEST were applied. Results: It was analyzed that the level of R&D organization, research personnel, and the number of patent registrations all affected operating profit and sales. In particular, it has been proven that research personnel have a greater impact on management performance among the level of R&D organization, research personnel, and the number of patent registrations. In addition, there was a difference between high-tech and low-tech industries in the impact on operating profit and sales, which are indicators of management performance. Conclusions: This study suggests that R&D competence are strengthened to advance the material, parts, and equipment industries and to promote future growth, while differentiated support is needed according to each company's R&D competence and technology level.