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R&D capital: An engine of growth

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  • Growiec, Jakub

Abstract

Research and development (R&D) requires not only skilled research work, but also dedicated machinery and equipment: R&D capital. In this paper I demonstrate that R&D, producing labor-augmenting ideas, and the accumulation of R&D capital can form a dual engine of economic growth. With R&D capital, balanced growth can be sustained even under decreasing returns and in the absence of population growth. This result contributes to the long-lasting debate on endogenous vs. semi-endogenous R&D-based growth and the likelihood of an upcoming secular stagnation.

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  • Growiec, Jakub, 2022. "R&D capital: An engine of growth," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:217:y:2022:i:c:s0165176522002403
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2022.110703
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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