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International R&D spillovers revisited: Human capital as an absorptive capacity for foreign technology

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  • Noh-Sun Kwark
  • Yong-Sang Shyn

Abstract

This paper examines aspects of R&D spillovers across countries, in particular, the role of international trade and human capital as the catalysts for international diffusion of technology. We present a new way of measuring foreign R&D stocks embodied in foreign intermediate goods and capital equipment, which we argue is free from the criticism of previous measures. With the pooled panel data spanning 1970 through 1995 for 103 countries, we find that the effects of foreign R&D on total factor productivity growth of both industrial countries and developing countries are substantial and that human capital is the most influential channel for absorbing foreign R&D spillovers.

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  • Noh-Sun Kwark & Yong-Sang Shyn, 2006. "International R&D spillovers revisited: Human capital as an absorptive capacity for foreign technology," International Economic Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(2), pages 179-196.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:intecj:v:20:y:2006:i:2:p:179-196
    DOI: 10.1080/10168730600699556
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    2. Behera, Smruti Ranjan Behera & Dua, Pami Dua & Goldar, Bishwanath Goldar, 2012. "Horizontal and Vertical Technology Spillover of Foreign Direct Investment: An Evaluation across Indian Manufacturing Industries," MPRA Paper 43293, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Andrea Fracasso & Giuseppe Vittucci Marzetti, 2014. "International R&D Spillovers, Absorptive Capacity and Relative Backwardness: A Panel Smooth Transition Regression Model," International Economic Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(1), pages 137-160, March.
    4. Ipsita Roy & Sourabh Bikas Paul, 2022. "Knowledge Spillovers and Productivity Growth: Role of Absorptive Capacity in the Indian Manufacturing Sector," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 233-257, June.
    5. Mustafizur Rahman & Hosna Jahan, 2015. "Second-generation Cooperation Agenda," South Asia Economic Journal, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, vol. 16(1), pages 1-26, March.
    6. Muhammad Ali & Uwe Cantner & Ipsita Roy, 2017. "Knowledge Spillovers Through FDI and Trade: The Moderating Role of Quality-Adjusted Human Capital," Economic Complexity and Evolution, in: Andreas Pyka & Uwe Cantner (ed.), Foundations of Economic Change, pages 357-391, Springer.
    7. Smruti Ranjan Behera & Pami Dua & Bishwanath Goldar, 2012. "Foreign Direct Investment And Technology Spillover: Evidence Across Indian Manufacturing Industries," The Singapore Economic Review (SER), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 57(02), pages 1-23.
    8. Zhu, Facang & Shi, Qiule & Balezentis, Tomas & Zhang, Chonghui, 2023. "The impact of e-commerce and R&D on firm-level production in China: Evidence from manufacturing sector," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 101-110.
    9. smruti, Smruti Ranjan Behera, 2012. "Technology Spillover and Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment: An Analysis of Indian Manufacturing Industries," MPRA Paper 42178, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Hezron M. Osano & Pauline W. Koine, 2016. "Role of foreign direct investment on technology transfer and economic growth in Kenya: a case of the energy sector," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 5(1), pages 1-25, December.

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