Recently, nanotechnology has grown as one of the leading science technology along with other converging technologies such as biology, information, medicine etc., bringing the continuous investment of the government in nano-related field. However, it is difficult to measure and evaluate the performance of the national research and development programs because of the multidimensional character of the expected outcomes. This study aims to measuring efficiency of the national nanotechnology research and development programs using DEA model. The decision making units are nine nano-related ministries including the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. The input variables are total expenditure, number of the programs and average expenditure per program. The output variables are science, technology and economic indicator, and the combination of these outputs are respectively measured as seven different DEA cases. The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future was the first efficient ministry in total technical efficiency. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety were efficient in pure technical efficiency, when the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Energy took the first in the scale efficiency. The program efficiency was affected by organizational characteristics such as the institution’s scale, the concentration of the research paper or the patent, technology transfer or the commercialization. The result of this study could be utilized in development of the policy in the nanotechnology and the related field. Furthermore, it could be applied for the modification of expenditure management or the adjustment of the research and development programs’ input and output scale for each ministry.

Nanotechnology has been growing constantly and it is becoming the leading technology in scientific research and development. Although nanotechnology has important applications in broad variety of fields without boundary of any particular industrial area, the study of nanotechnology related to its commercialization has been conducted in a few ways. To put that figure in context, this study investigates public and expert perceptions about negative potentials of nanotechnology. Through a series of surveys with public (N = 541) and experts (N = 62), we analyzed about public willingness to pay for nano-applied products. Survey results showed that public and experts preferred nano-applied products in the order of electronics, cosmetics, and food and medicine. Experts express high payment intention to electronics rather than public intention. In addition, the survey results showed the purchasing intention of both public and expert group was affected by the attributes of nano-applied products in the order of risk fatality, risk chance, certification, and labeling. But experts put more importance in risk fatality than risk chance comparing to public. Through the case analysis of the effects of labeling and certification, we revealed either labeling or certification can induce both public and experts to buy the nano-applied products with high risk chance and low risk fatality. However, for the nano-applied product with high risk fatality and low risk chance, both labeling and certification are simultaneously required to make customers have positive purchasing intention. The result of this study could be utilized for the nanotechnology-based company to get the consumer behavior information about nano-based product and to establish their marketing strategy.

The study aims at quantifying the effect of nano technology in the fields of economics and social aspects by using the methodology of system dynamics. A case study which using selenium oxide nanoparticles as additive agent in order to enhance fuel efficiency was selected as an example of nano technology in economic and societal benefits. Additionally, models for exhaust gas from combustion of fuel (diesel) and related issues are developed to evaluate real-time assessment of the effect of nano technology. It was found that the selenium oxide nanoparticles increase fuel efficiency, and it also affects on the amount of exhaust gas and the respiratory disease related issues. The results of this study which give quantitative value for the effect of nano technology can be used as objective references in development of national policy.

It is difficult to make an accurate estimate of the economic value and effects on societal economy of Nano-technologies. This research measures an economic value of Nano-technologies quantitatively and analyzes its influences on societal economy. This paper chooses some major industries as analysis targets and adapts the DEFRA comparative methodology model which has been developed in the UK and recommended by OECD. For this reason, some industries which are in range of economic value assessment were investigated and related data were collected. Also, the economic value and societal influences of Nano-technologies were calculated, through the procedure of the model. In addition, this study conducts a questionnaire to experts for the validity of measurement results and procedures. This paper suggests a guideline for economic value and effects on societal economy of Nano-technologies assessments through quantitative Defra comparative methodologies.