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Diminishing marginal returns from R&D investment: evidence from manufacturing firms

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  • Robert Faff
  • Yew-Kee Ho
  • Weiling Lin
  • Chee-Meng Yap

Abstract

This study analyses the association between R&D Investment (RDI) and growth opportunities and show that there exists diminishing marginal returns in manufacturing firms. Extant literature has found that besides R&D investment, systematic risk, financial leverage and complementary asset investment are also associated with growth opportunities. Accordingly, we employ structural equation modelling to simultaneously estimate both a direct influence of RDI as well as indirect influences of RDI on growth opportunities via these three mediating effects. We find that the direct effect of incremental RDI on growth opportunities is independent of R&D intensity. Instead, the heterogeneous effects of RDI on systematic risk, financial leverage and complementary asset investment across firms with different R&D intensity level accounts for the diminishing marginal returns to R&D investment. We specifically observe that the greatest indirect effect is via the financial leverage of the firm. This study shows the importance of accounting for the interdependencies in R&D investment.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Faff & Yew-Kee Ho & Weiling Lin & Chee-Meng Yap, 2013. "Diminishing marginal returns from R&D investment: evidence from manufacturing firms," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(5), pages 611-622, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:45:y:2013:i:5:p:611-622
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2011.608644
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuxin Li & Derek Bosworth, 2020. "R&D spillovers in a supply chain and productivity performance in British firms," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(1), pages 177-204, February.
    2. Woo Sung Kim & Kunsu Park & Sang Hoon Lee & Hongyoung Kim, 2018. "R&D Investments and Firm Value: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Jan Lánský & Jiří Mihola & Petr Wawrosz, 2022. "Mathematical Modelling of Qualitative System Development," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(15), pages 1-23, August.
    4. Timo Busch & Maximilian Schnippering, 2022. "Corporate social and financial performance: Revisiting the role of innovation," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(3), pages 635-645, May.
    5. Carlos Serrano-Cinca & Yolanda Fuertes-Call鮠 & Bego uti鲲ez-Nieto & Beatriz Cuellar-Fernᮤez, 2014. "Path modelling to bankruptcy: causes and symptoms of the banking crisis," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(31), pages 3798-3811, November.
    6. Cong Li & Minglai Li, 2020. "The Policy Information Gap and Resettlers’ Well-Being: Evidence from the Anti-Poverty Relocation and Resettlement Program in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-20, April.

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