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On the Design of Basic-Research Policy

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Abstract

We augment a Schumpeterian growth model with a public basic-research sector to examine how much a country should invest in basic research. We find that the closer the country is to the world’s technological frontier the more the government should invest in basic research. Basic-research expenditures are increasing with a country’s degree of openness as long as innovation sizes are small. We provide possible explanations for the empirical evidence available on basic-research expenditures across countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Hans Gersbach & Maik T. Schneider & Olivier Schneller, 2008. "On the Design of Basic-Research Policy," CER-ETH Economics working paper series 08/79, CER-ETH - Center of Economic Research (CER-ETH) at ETH Zurich.
    • Handle: RePEc:eth:wpswif:08-79
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    1. Ufuk Akcigit & Douglas Hanley & Nicolas Serrano-Velarde, 2021. "Back to Basics: Basic Research Spillovers, Innovation Policy, and Growth," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 88(1), pages 1-43.
    2. Balistreri, Edward J. & Hillberry, Russell H. & Rutherford, Thomas F., 2011. "Structural estimation and solution of international trade models with heterogeneous firms," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(2), pages 95-108, March.
    3. Cozzi, Guido & Galli, Silvia, 2017. "Should the government protect its basic research?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 122-124.
    4. Cozzi, Guido & Galli, Silvia, 2021. "Privatization of knowledge: Did the U.S. get it right?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 179-191.
    5. Nicolas Serrano-Velarde & Douglas Hanley & Ufuk Akcigit, 2011. "Back to Basics: Private and Public Investment in Basic R&D and Macroeconomic Growth," 2011 Meeting Papers 1196, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    6. Alexander Cuntz, 2014. "ERAWATCH Country Reports 2012: Austria," JRC Research Reports JRC83823, Joint Research Centre.
    7. Balistreri, Edward J. & Hillberry, Russell H. & Rutherford, Thomas F., 2010. "Trade and welfare: Does industrial organization matter?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 109(2), pages 85-87, November.
    8. Klaus Schuch, 2012. "ERAWATCH country reports 2011: Austria," JRC Research Reports JRC77707, Joint Research Centre, revised Dec 2012.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    basic research; openness; distance to frontier; economic growth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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