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Innovation and Economic Growth: What is the actual importance of R&D?

Author

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  • Argentino Pessoa

    (Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Porto)

Abstract

This paper deals with the relationship between innovation and economic growth in the context of developed world. After examining the correlation between economic growth and R&D (research and development) intensity, and given that the impact of R&D on economic growth is mediated by the rate of growth of technology, we proceed trying to assess the linkage between R&D outlays and economic growth, through the use of the condition of free entry into R&D. Confronted with data, our argumentation shows that the optimism of the endogenous technological change models is not confirmed for countries situated below the technological frontier. Next, based on other economic and technological indicators, a succinct comparison between the Irish and Swedish cases is made. This comparison reveals the importance of investments not classified as R&D, particularly the ones that enhance the external competitiveness of the economy. We conclude that innovation policy must always consider the complexity of the economic growth process and the other ways, besides the ones based on formal R&D indicators, in which technology has an impact on growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Argentino Pessoa, 2007. "Innovation and Economic Growth: What is the actual importance of R&D?," FEP Working Papers 254, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    • Handle: RePEc:por:fepwps:254
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Albu, Lucian-Liviu & Georgescu, George & Ghizdeanu, Ion, 2008. "Romania’s development level comparing with EU countries: The RGS (Relative Gap Scoring) Ranking Index," MPRA Paper 10170, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Dejene Mamo Bekana, 2021. "Innovation and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: Why Institutions Matter? An Empirical Study Aross 37 Countries," Arthaniti: Journal of Economic Theory and Practice, , vol. 20(2), pages 161-200, December.
    3. Gyedu, Samuel & Heng, Tang & Ntarmah, Albert Henry & He, Yingqi & Frimppong, Emmanuel, 2021. "The impact of innovation on economic growth among G7 and BRICS countries: A GMM style panel vector autoregressive approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    4. Tran Dinh Phung & Vo Thi Thuy Van & Trinh Thi Huyen Thuong & Nguyen Tran Thai Ha, 2019. "Innovation and Economic Growth: The Contribution of Institutional Quality and Foreign Direct Investment," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 9(11), pages 1266-1278, November.
    5. Otilia Georgiana Floroiu, 2020. "Innovation For Growth: Evidence From Cee Eurozone Candidates," Oradea Journal of Business and Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 5(special), pages 124-134, June.
    6. Janusz Myszczyszyn & Irena Lacka & Sylwia Golab & Beata Bedzik & Blazej Supron, 2021. "A Preliminary Analysis of the Relationship between Economic Growth and Selected Innovativeness Indicators on the Example of Four European Union Countries," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(Special 3), pages 402-418.
    7. Pietro Moncada-Paternò-Castello & Peter Voigt, 2010. "Proceedings of CONCORD 2010: 2nd European Conference on Corporate R&D "An Engine for Growth, a Challenge for European Policy". Academic Forum - Summary Report," JRC Research Reports JRC60863, Joint Research Centre.
    8. Romualdas Ginevicius, 2023. "Assessment of the Effectiveness of Investment in R&D by European Union Countries," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 25(62), pages 251-251, February.
    9. Moncada-Paternò-Castello, Pietro & Ciupagea, Constantin & Smith, Keith & Tübke, Alexander & Tubbs, Mike, 2010. "Does Europe perform too little corporate R&D? A comparison of EU and non-EU corporate R&D performance," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 523-536, May.
    10. Lena Malešević-Perović & Vladimir Šimić & Vinko Muštra, 2013. "Investigating the Influence of Economic and Socio-Political Openness on Growth," International Journal of Business and Economic Sciences Applied Research (IJBESAR), Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), Kavala Campus, Greece, vol. 6(3), pages 35-59, December.
    11. Manzoor Ahmad & Jianghuai Zheng, 2023. "The Cyclical and Nonlinear Impact of R&D and Innovation Activities on Economic Growth in OECD Economies: a New Perspective," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 14(1), pages 544-593, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    R&D; economic growth; technological change; innovation policy.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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