Mapping the Two Faces of R&D: Productivity Growth in a Panel of OECD Industries

Rachel Griffith, Stephen Redding and John van Reenen

The Review of Economics and Statistics, 2004, vol. 86, issue 4, 883-895

Abstract: Many writers have claimed that research and development (R&D) has two faces. In addition to the conventional role of stimulating innovation, R&D enhances technology transfer (absorptive capacity). We explore this idea empirically using a panel of industries across twelve OECD countries. We find R&D to be statistically and economically important in both technological catch-up and innovation. Human capital also plays an major role in productivity growth, but we only find a small effect of trade. In failing to take account of R&D-based absorptive capacity, existing U.S.-based studies may underestimate the return to R&D. © 2004 President and Fellows of Harvard College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Date: 2004
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Working Paper: Mapping the Two Faces of R&D: Productivity Growth in a Panel of OECD Industries (2000)
Working Paper: Mapping The Two Faces Of R&D: Productivity Growth In A Panel Of OECD Industries (2000)
Working Paper: Mapping the two faces of R&D: productivity growth in a panel of OECD industries (2000)
Working Paper: Mapping the two faces of R&D: productivity growth in a panel of OECD industries (2000)
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