Abstract
This paper assesses empirically whether R&D spillovers are important and whether they originate from domestic or foreign activities. Data for eleven sectors are used to explain the impact on total factor productivity of R&D by the sector itself, by other Dutch sectors and by foreign sectors. We find that both domestic and foreign R&D are significant for the Dutch economy. The elasticity of total factor productivity with respect to R&D is approximately 37% for R&D by a sector, 15% for R&D by other Dutch sectors and 3% for R&D by foreign sectors. Our findings suggest moreover that more R&D speeds up the adoption of foreign technologies. Thus, even for a small open economy as the Netherlands, promoting investment in R&D is appropriate as it both stimulates adoption and generates spillovers.
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Jacobs, B., Nahuis, R. & Tang, P.J. Sectoral Productivity Growth and R&D Spillovers in the Netherlands. De Economist 150, 181–210 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015696202835
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015696202835