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The dispersion of technology and income in Europe: Evolution and mutual relationship across regions

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  • Mulas-Granados, Carlos
  • Sanz, Ismael

Abstract

The first part of this article explores whether convergence has occurred in technology and income across EU regions during the period 1990-2002. The second part evaluates whether these two processes of convergence are related to each other. With respect to the first question, we find that all R&D indicators and patents have converged among regions during the 1990s and this has ran parallel to a real convergence in income per capita levels. Regarding the second question, we have identified a strong relationship between the distribution of technology indicators and the distribution of regional income in Europe. Our main result is that convergence in business R&D leads to convergence in patents, which in turn leads to convergence in income per capita. Although, we identify a role for government R&D and higher education spending in this process, the policy implications for these two variables are less clear.

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  • Mulas-Granados, Carlos & Sanz, Ismael, 2008. "The dispersion of technology and income in Europe: Evolution and mutual relationship across regions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(5), pages 836-848, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:37:y:2008:i:5:p:836-848
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    6. Francisco A. Blanco & Francisco J. Delgado & Maria J. Presno, 2018. "R&D Expenditure in the EU: Convergence or Divergence?," Working Papers. Collection B: Regional and sectoral economics 1804, Universidade de Vigo, GEN - Governance and Economics research Network.

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