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Revisiting measure of R&D spillovers: empirical evidence on OECD countries and industries

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  • Ram C. Acharya

Abstract

Using data for 17 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries over 29 years for 28 industries, this paper estimates industry-wise research and development (R&D) spillovers from the largest R&D investors and the most R&D-intensive industries that contribute 80% of global R&D. In doing so, it tests several assumptions made in the literature, and data rejecting them, proposes a methodology on R&D return estimation devoid of these assumptions. Results show that R&D has substantial spillovers, justifying R&D support policy. Each dollar of R&D generates about 29 cents in spillovers domestically and 4 cents in foreign countries. However, both intra- and inter-industry spillovers vary by industries, implying that the policy of supporting each R&D dollar uniformly across industries is suboptimal. Contrary to industry heterogeneity, the R&D spillovers from an industry do not vary substantially across countries, suggesting that optimal R&D policy across OECD countries might be uniform. An industry-by-industry technology matrix shows that sometimes an idea generates a greater impact on other industries than where it is generated.

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  • Ram C. Acharya, 2015. "Revisiting measure of R&D spillovers: empirical evidence on OECD countries and industries," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(4), pages 360-400, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:ecinnt:v:24:y:2015:i:4:p:360-400
    DOI: 10.1080/10438599.2014.973293
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    1. André Spithoven & Bruno Merlevede, 2023. "The productivity impact of R&D and FDI spillovers: characterising regional path development," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 560-590, April.
    2. Carlo Capuano & Iacopo Grassi, 2020. "Imperfect patent protection, licensing, and willingness to pay for the innovation," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 47(2), pages 333-359, June.
    3. João Gabriel Pio & Eduardo Gonçalves & Claúdio R. F. Vasconcelos, 2021. "Technology Spillovers Through Exports: Empirical Evidence for the Chinese Case," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 423-443, September.

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