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R&D tax incentives in EU countries: does the impact vary with firm size?

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Listed:
  • Alessandro Sterlacchini

    (Università Politecnica delle Marche)

  • Francesco Venturini

    (University of Perugia
    NIESR)

Abstract

This paper studies the effect of R&D tax incentives on the research activity of manufacturing firms based in France, Italy, Spain and the UK, over the period 2007–2009. Using a matching procedure, we show that, in all the examined countries but Spain, R&D tax incentives induced a statistically significant increase in the intensity of R&D expenses over sales. However, this effect is driven only by the behaviour of small firms. By assessing the benefit-cost ratio of R&D tax policies, we find evidence of substantial additional effects in Italy and the UK.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandro Sterlacchini & Francesco Venturini, 2019. "R&D tax incentives in EU countries: does the impact vary with firm size?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 53(3), pages 687-708, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:53:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s11187-018-0074-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-018-0074-9
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    2. Labeaga, José M. & Martínez-Ros, Ester & Sanchis, Amparo & Sanchis, Juan A., 2021. "Does persistence in using R&D tax credits help to achieve product innovations?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    3. Yang Ding & Gang Chen, 2022. "How Do Innovation-Driven Policies Help Sports Firms Sustain Growth? The Mediating Role of R&D Investment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-21, November.
    4. Heijs, Joost & Guerrero, Alex J. & Huergo, Elena, 2020. "Matching methods for impact evaluation of public subsidies to business R&D: Measuring heterogeneous effects," MPRA Paper 103874, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Karolis Matikonis & Matthew Gobey, 2024. "Small Business Property Tax Reductions and Firm Productivity," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 62(1), pages 307-324, January.
    6. Huanyong Ji & Shuya Sheng & Jun Wan, 2024. "Corporate Social Responsibility Practices and Financial Performance of New Ventures: The Moderating Role of Government Support," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-19, February.
    7. John Lester, 2021. "Benefit-Cost Analysis of Federal and Provincial SR&ED Investment Tax Credits," SPP Research Papers, The School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, vol. 14(1), January.

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