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R&D Decisions and Productivity Growth: Evidence from Switzerland and the Netherlands

Author

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  • Dobbelaere, Sabien

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • König, Michael D.

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Spescha, Andrin

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Wörter, Martin

    (ETH Zurich)

Abstract

The fraction of R&D active firms decreased in Switzerland but increased in the Netherlands from 2000-2016. This paper examines reasons for this divergence and its impact on productivity growth. Our micro-data reveal R&D concentration among high-productivity firms in Switzerland. Innovation support sustains firms' R&D activities in both countries. Our structural growth model identifies the impact of innovation, imitation and R&D costs on firms' R&D decisions. R&D costs gained importance in Switzerland but not in the Netherlands, explaining the diverging R&D trends. Yet, counterfactual analyses show that policies should prioritize enhancing innovation and imitation success over cost reduction to boost productivity growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Dobbelaere, Sabien & König, Michael D. & Spescha, Andrin & Wörter, Martin, 2024. "R&D Decisions and Productivity Growth: Evidence from Switzerland and the Netherlands," IZA Discussion Papers 17026, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17026
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    R&D; innovation; imitation; R&D costs; policy; productivity growth; traveling wave;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E61 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Policy Objectives; Policy Designs and Consistency; Policy Coordination
    • E65 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Studies of Particular Policy Episodes
    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence
    • O52 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Europe

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