R&D Expenditure in the EU: Convergence or Divergence?

Francisco A. Blanco, Francisco Delgado () and María J. Presno

No 1804, Working Papers. Collection B: Regional and sectoral economics from Universidade de Vigo, GEN - Governance and Economics research Network

Abstract: This article examines the convergence of the R&D expenditure in the EU28 for 2004–2015. We initially run a sigma convergence analysis and conclude with a club convergence approach. The overall results show convergence in the total expenditure, due to the behaviour of the business and higher education sectors, despite government sector divergence. However, noticeable differences between the EU15 and 13 EU countries are apparent. The business enterprise sector is the principle driver of EU15 R&D convergence, whereas for the EU13 this role is played by the government expenditure. The club convergence approach allows us to explore these insights through individualized analysis and clusterization. Results for the EU28 show two clubs for the total expenditure, but the analysis of its components reveals a larger grouping. Results evidence the necessity of revising the EU R&D policies towards greater coordination due to the impact of this expenditure on growth, development and integration.

Keywords: convergence; R&D; expenditure; European Union (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H5 O3 O4 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 28 pages
Date: 2018-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eur, nep-ino and nep-tid
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gov:wpregi:1804

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