Effect of R&D product and process expenditures on new product introductions

This study examines the relationship between the introduction of new products and R&D process and product expenditures of 15 industries. The objective is to determine the degree to which product and process R&D expenditures, uniquely or jointly, contribute to the development of new products. The findings suggest that concurrent R&D expenditures on products and processes lead to higher R&D output, as measured by new product announcements, than R&D expenditures on products or processes alone. As a by-product, the analysis clearly shows that the relationship between the number of new products introduced and product and process R&D expenditures can be represented by a function resembling the Cobb-Douglas production function     

Firm size and compositions of R&D expenditures: evidence from a panel of R&D performing manufacturing firms

The effect of firm size on diverse compositions of R&D expenditures is analysed in detail using firm-level data on the Korean manufacturing sector. On the grounds that each type of R&D activity differs in terms of salability in disembodied form and growth potential due to innovation, a distinction between product vs. process, and new vs. incremental R&D is made. Empirical tests show that the firm size is significantly associated with both the new and incremental R&D. Moreover, firm size is found to be significantly associated with other types of R&D compositions such as the share of R&D devoted to incremental innovation and multidimensional combinations of product, process, new and incremental R&D. These findings support the idea that large firms possess innovative advantages over smaller firms and firm size is an important determinant for firms’ heterogeneous R&D activities. We also discuss the limitations and the implications of the findings.     

Systemic aspects of R&D policy subsidies for R&D collaborations and their effects on private R&D

This paper analyses how context- and time-dependent factors determine the impact of R&D subsidies on firm behaviour with respect to private R&D expenditures. Based on German R&D survey data, we combine propensity score matching with a difference-in-difference estimator in order to measure the causal influence of public direct R&D project funding on firm behaviour. Our results indicate that (i) repeated participation in R&D projects on average leads to a higher increase in R&D expenditures than once-off funding; (ii) the aggregate effect of R&D funding on R&D expenditures of business firms is somewhat higher for business–business collaboration projects than for science–business collaboration projects; (iii) R&D expenditures of business firms that cooperate with science show a higher share of external R&D spending. Results of one particular cluster programme indicate that at least the short-term development of R&D does not so much depend on which programme direct R&D project funding is applied to.     

Determinants of biopharmaceutical R&D expenditures in China: the impact of spatiotemporal context

Scientometrics - The spatiotemporal context affects corporate behavior because any corporate activity is carried out in a specific time and space. Based on an examination on the research and...     

Business Group Affiliation and R&D

This paper analyzes whether belonging to a business group enhances firms' propensity for and intensity of R&D based on the greater opportunities to finance and co-ordinate R&D strategies and internalize knowledge spillovers. Compared with the existing literature, this paper has the following novelties: (a) it examines how the organization and diversification of business groups influence the R&D investment of affiliated firms; (b) it analyzes the role of R&D spillovers among affiliated firms; and (c) it distinguishes between propensity for and intensity of R&D. We find that less diversified groups are more likely to centralize R&D, while in more diversified groups firms are more likely to be autonomous. We find that controlled companies are more likely to benefit from knowledge spillovers than firms at the head of the group. Finally, we find that R&D autonomy is significantly associated with both a higher propensity for and intensity of R&D in controlled companies.     

Hot-bed of fuel cell R&D

Late in 2001, the University of Connecticut unveiled a center of excellence devoted to fuel cell science and technology, the Connecticut Global Fuel Cell Center (CGFCC). The product of a unique collaboration between the State of Connecticut, local industry, and the University of Connecticut’s School of Engineering, the Center supports cutting-edge research, design and commercial development, education, and transfer of fuel cell technology. Though nestled near the University’s main campus in pastoral Storrs, the CGFCC is no rustic, sleepy laboratory. The Center is rapidly emerging as a recognized hub, gaining research momentum in the red-hot fuel cell arena. Analysts project the US fuel cell market will climb dramatically in coming years, $10-50 billion by 2010, with the greatest growth potential in the portable/mobile markets. The industry received a strong boost early in 2002 when President Bush voiced his budget support for integration of hydrogen fuel cells in the US auto industry.Anticipating the approaching trend, the University of Connecticut’s School of Engineering began negotiating in 2000 with Connecticut companies and government/private sector venture capitalists to establish a state-of-the-art center devoted to fuel cell science and technology. The Center was born in December 2001 as a partnership between the School of Engineering, the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (the state’s renewable energy investment fund), and local industry.     

Energy R&D: investment challenge

Despite dependence on foreign oil that keeps countries like the US embroiled in the Middle East, and amid fears of global warming, research and development (R&D) funding for energy technologies has declined significantly during the last two decades throughout the industrial world. Investments in energy technology R&D, and in associated human and institutional capacity, are fundamental to our ability to respond to changing economic, energy, and environmental needs.Although there has been a recent wave of interest in R&D policy in general, and energy R&D in particular, this has not been translated into the needed increases in funding. In most OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) member countries, government energy technology R&D budgets have been declining significantly in real terms since the early 1980s. The trends are particularly troubling given the pressing need to develop and utilize the clean energy and low carbon fossil-fuel energy technologies that will be critical in meeting our future energy needs, while addressing the local and global environmental problems we are facing.     

工业企业R&D能力的审计

在建立企业R&D能力审计指标体系的基础上,对北京地区工业企业进行了抽样调查,并对高绩效企业与低绩效企业、优势企业与非优势企业以及高标企业与优势企业分别进行了R&D能力审计。研究结果表明,第一,企业运用特有的R&D能力进行创新产品的开发是决定企业创新绩效的重要源泉;第二,企业R&D能力与企业市场竞争地位之间存在着正相关关系;第三,我国工业企业在R&D方面普遍存在能力不足,有很大的能力差距空间需要去弥补。最后提出了企业增强R&D能力可采取的措施。     

Technology strategies,innovation without R&D

The key to the success of Italian industrial districts lies in their flexibility and innovation. Yet except for a few rare cases, investments in R&D have been very limited. The paper explores this apparent conundrum. Even though there are alternative methods to introduce innovations (for example, the supply of machinery), it still remains difficult, from a traditional point of view, to adequately explain the widespread creation of original knowledge that is no doubt present in these enclaves, and that is able to bring about effective product and process innovation in order to maintain competitiveness. By using evolutionary theories and numerous empirical examples, the paper outlines the mechanisms for generating knowledge, the learning patterns and the specialisation processes that appear to characterise the most dynamic Italian districts.     

Public R&D as a Standard-Setting Device

We propose a simple two-firm model with complementarities and imperfect knowledge about the optimal technology. Firms receive two signals about the technology, a public and a private one. We show that with complementarities public signals can serve as a coordination device between firms, even if the private signal is more precise. Our results point to an important function of standard-setting organizations and public R&D: providing a focal point for firms that might not coordinate otherwise.     

Multi-facility capacity expansion in R&D projects

This paper considers capacity expansion decisions for accommodating different types of R&D activities which require time-varying areas during a given time horizon. The forecasted area needed by each activity can be met by new construction and/or by conversion of existing constructions. The problem involves sizing and scheduling of capacity expansions and conversions at discrete points in time at minimum cost. A hierarchical bottom-up procedure is used to solve the problem, the best results being further evaluated through a systematic multicriteria approach. It is recommended that the relevant information supplied by the active conversions set in the least costs solutions be translated into improved building flexibility.