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Impact of competition from unregistered firms on R&D investment by industrial sectors in emerging economies

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  • Heredia Pérez, Jorge A.
  • Kunc, Martin H.
  • Durst, Susanne
  • Flores, Alejandro
  • Geldes, Cristian

Abstract

This research evaluates the impact of competition from unregistered firms on R&D investment by formal firms in emerging economies by considering their industrial sector and institutional factors, such as intellectual property rights. We performed a study using the propensity score matching approach and the World Bank Enterprise Survey of 16 Latin American emerging economies. We observed that the R&D investment response of formal firms varies according to the typology of industrial sectors. Supplier-dominated industries reduce investments in R&D when confronted with the informal sector. However, science-based, specialized suppliers and scale-intensive industries do not alter their investments. In addition, the level of intellectual property (e.g., IPRI) modifies the effect of the informal sector on R&D investment. Formal firms reduce their investments in R&D when the IPRI environment is underdeveloped. This reduction does not occur in highly developed IPRI environments. We also discuss the finding's theoretical and practical implications and suggest avenues for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Heredia Pérez, Jorge A. & Kunc, Martin H. & Durst, Susanne & Flores, Alejandro & Geldes, Cristian, 2018. "Impact of competition from unregistered firms on R&D investment by industrial sectors in emerging economies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 179-189.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:133:y:2018:i:c:p:179-189
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2018.03.028
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    8. Zhao, Nan & Liu, Xiaojie & Zhang, Zizhe, 2022. "Does competition from the informal sector affect firms’ energy intensity? Evidence from China," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 130-142.
    9. Kouakou, Dorgyles C.M., 2025. "Can past informality impede registered firms’ access to credit?," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 53(3), pages 786-815.
    10. Doan Ngoc Thang & Le Thanh Ha, 2022. "Trade credit and global value chain: Evidence from cross-country firm-level data," International Economics, CEPII research center, issue 171, pages 110-129.
    11. Heredia Pérez, Jorge A. & Geldes, Cristian & Kunc, Martin H. & Flores, Alejandro, 2023. "The effect of local institutions on the competitive strategies of exporters. The case of emerging economies in Latin America," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    12. Karakilic, Emrah, 2019. "Rethinking intellectual property rights in the cognitive and digital age of capitalism: An autonomist Marxist reading," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 1-9.
    13. de-Oliveira, Fernando & Rodil-Marzábal, Óscar, 2019. "Structural characteristics and organizational determinants as obstacles to innovation in small developing countries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 306-314.
    14. Chen, Chao & Gu, Junjian & Luo, Rongxi, 2022. "Corporate innovation and R&D expenditure disclosures," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    15. Marco Túlio Dinali Viglioni & Mozar José Brito & Cristina Lelis Leal Calegario, 2020. "Innovation and R&D in Latin America and the Caribbean countries: a systematic literature review," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 125(3), pages 2131-2167, December.
    16. Sam Z. Njinyah & Simplice A. Asongu, 2023. "Unregistered Firms, Financial Access and Innovation," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 32(2), pages 307-346, July.
    17. Dorgyles C.M. Kouakou, 2025. "Can past informality impede registered firms' access to credit?," Post-Print hal-05305016, HAL.

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