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What R&D Assets Say about Firm Profitability

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  • Pierluigi Santosuosso

Abstract

Research and development (R&D) activities are usually considered a key factor for achieving superior performances. Using a sample of 11,897 manufacturing Italian firms, we examine the relationship between R&D expenditure that is capitalized as an intangible asset and some proxies of firm profitability over a period of four years in order to explore whether R&D assets can help investors in the identification of profitable firms. Contrary to expectations, this paper found a negative and/or an insignificant association between R&D assets and proxies of firm profitability. Although there are several possible explanations for this result, what we learn from this study is that R&D assets are not on average a reliable indicator for detecting profitable firms. Research findings revealed that firms with R&D assets appear to be not so profitable, large and levered.

Suggested Citation

  • Pierluigi Santosuosso, 2016. "What R&D Assets Say about Firm Profitability," International Business Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 9(6), pages 64-71, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibn:ibrjnl:v:9:y:2016:i:6:p:64-71
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    5. Lev, Baruch & Sougiannis, Theodore, 1996. "The capitalization, amortization, and value-relevance of R&D," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 21(1), pages 107-138, February.
    6. Baruch Lev & Bharat Sarath & Theodore Sougiannis, 2005. "R&D Reporting Biases and Their Consequences," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(4), pages 977-1026, December.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    research and development; intangible assets; firm profitability; Italian firms;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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