The two aspects of research and development (R&D) involving the stimulation of innovation and the facilitation of technology transfer are examined. There has been little econometric work done that assesses the statistical significance and quantitative importance of the technology transfer aspect...

Many writers have claimed that R&D has two 'faces'. In addition to the conventional role of stimulating innovation, R&D enhances technology transfer by improving the ability of firms to learn about advances in the leading edge ('absorptive capacity'). In this paper we document that there has...

In 2010 China was the world's fourth largest filer of patent applications. This followed a decade of unprecedented increases in investment in skills and Research and Development. If current trends continue China could rank first in the very near future. We provide evidence that the growth in...