IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/decono/v173y2025i1d10.1007_s10645-024-09448-0.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Mapping Economic Growth and Employment in EU-Funded Research Projects: Trac(k)ing the SDG 8 Trajectory

Author

Listed:
  • Kris Boudt

    (Ghent University
    Vrije Universiteit Brussel
    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Yanick Inghels

    (Ghent University)

  • André Spithoven

    (Ghent University
    Belgian Science Policy Office
    Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

Abstract

Research on Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) promotes sustained economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work. This paper presents a complementary approach to standard systematic literature reviews and monitors the intended ex-ante research efforts on SDG 8. We introduce a large-scale research project analysis framework to trace and track the prevalence of SDGs within research funded by the European Union (EU) since 1984, underscoring the EU's significant role in promoting research on sustainable development. Using the publicly available CORDIS database, we identify the extent to which SDG 8 related targets have been represented in the titles and abstracts of projects funded by the EU's Framework Programmes. Our findings reveal that SDG 8-related research projects are dominated by four targets: economic growth, productivity, entrepreneurship and decent work, and full and decent employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Kris Boudt & Yanick Inghels & André Spithoven, 2025. "Mapping Economic Growth and Employment in EU-Funded Research Projects: Trac(k)ing the SDG 8 Trajectory," De Economist, Springer, vol. 173(1), pages 245-275, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:decono:v:173:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10645-024-09448-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10645-024-09448-0
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10645-024-09448-0
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10645-024-09448-0?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Szücs, Florian, 2020. "Do research subsidies crowd out private R&D of large firms? Evidence from European Framework Programmes," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(3).
    2. Confraria, Hugo & Ciarli, Tommaso & Noyons, Ed, 2024. "Countries' research priorities in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(3).
    3. Marco Cavallaro, 2024. "Universities of applied sciences’ EU research project participation through the lens of differentiation," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 51(1), pages 1-14.
    4. Ghirelli, Corinna & Havari, Enkelejda & Meroni, Elena Claudia & Verzillo, Stefano, 2023. "The Long-Term Causal Effects of Winning an ERC Grant," IZA Discussion Papers 16108, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. Oana Forestier & Rakhyun E. Kim, 2020. "Cherry‐picking the Sustainable Development Goals: Goal prioritization by national governments and implications for global governance," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(5), pages 1269-1278, September.
    6. Elliott Ash & Stephen Hansen, 2023. "Text Algorithms in Economics," Annual Review of Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 15(1), pages 659-688, September.
    7. Mina, Andrea & Minin, Alberto Di & Martelli, Irene & Testa, Giuseppina & Santoleri, Pietro, 2021. "Public funding of innovation: Exploring applications and allocations of the European SME Instrument," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(1).
    8. Galor, Oded, 2005. "From Stagnation to Growth: Unified Growth Theory," Handbook of Economic Growth, in: Philippe Aghion & Steven Durlauf (ed.), Handbook of Economic Growth, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 4, pages 171-293, Elsevier.
    9. Manoranjan Mishra & Sudarsan Desul & Celso Augusto Guimarães Santos & Shailendra Kumar Mishra & Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal & Shreerup Goswami & Ahmed Mukalazi Kalumba & Ramakrishna Biswal & Richarde Marqu, 2024. "A bibliometric analysis of sustainable development goals (SDGs): a review of progress, challenges, and opportunities," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(5), pages 11101-11143, May.
    10. Florian Berg & Julian F Kölbel & Roberto Rigobon, 2022. "Aggregate Confusion: The Divergence of ESG Ratings [Corporate social responsibility and firm risk: theory and empirical evidence]," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 26(6), pages 1315-1344.
    11. Arash Hajikhani & Arho Suominen, 2022. "Mapping the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in science, technology and innovation: application of machine learning in SDG-oriented artefact detection," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(11), pages 6661-6693, November.
    12. Hayrol Azril Mohamed Shaffril & Samsul Farid Samsuddin & Asnarulkhadi Abu Samah, 2021. "The ABC of systematic literature review: the basic methodological guidance for beginners," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 55(4), pages 1319-1346, August.
    13. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
    14. Stefano Breschi & Franco Malerba, 2011. "Assessing the scientific and technological output of EU Framework Programmes: evidence from the FP6 projects in the ICT field," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 88(1), pages 239-257, July.
    15. Luukkonen, Terttu, 1998. "The difficulties in assessing the impact of EU framework programmes," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 27(6), pages 599-610, September.
    16. Alisha Ralph & Akarsh Arora, 2024. "Mapping the literature on decent work: A bibliometric analysis of sustainable development goal 8," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(4), pages 3937-3952, August.
    17. Björn Mestdagh & Olivier Sempiga & Luc Van Liedekerke, 2023. "The Impact of External Shocks on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Linking the COVID-19 Pandemic to SDG Implementation at the Local Government Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-18, April.
    18. Matteo Trane & Luisa Marelli & Alice Siragusa & Riccardo Pollo & Patrizia Lombardi, 2023. "Progress by Research to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the EU: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-37, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. María-Antonia Ovalle-Perandones & Juan Gorraiz & Martin Wieland & Christian Gumpenberger & Carlos Olmeda-Gómez, 2013. "The influence of European Framework Programmes on scientific collaboration in nanotechnology," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 97(1), pages 59-74, October.
    2. Florian Klopfer & René Westerholt & Dietwald Gruehn, 2021. "Conceptual Frameworks for Assessing Climate Change Effects on Urban Areas: A Scoping Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Daniel Nepelski & Vincent Roy & Annarosa Pesole, 2019. "The organisational and geographic diversity and innovation potential of EU-funded research networks," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(2), pages 359-380, April.
    4. Asnarulkhadi Abu Samah & Hayrol Azril Mohamed Shaffril & Mohd Fauzi Fadzil & Nobaya Ahmad & Khairuddin Idris, 2021. "A Systematic Review on Adaptation Practices in Aquaculture towards Climate Change Impacts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-20, October.
    5. Wang, Shasha & Mortimer, Gary & Sajtos, Laszlo & Keating, Byron, 2024. "Exploring consumers’ competence, autonomy and relatedness needs in the adoption of facial recognition payment technology," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    6. Sonja Đuričin & Isidora Beraha & Olivera Jovanović & Marija Mosurović Ružičić & Marija Lazarević-Moravčević & Mihailo Paunović, 2022. "The Efficiency of National Innovation Policy Programs: The Case of Serbia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-14, July.
    7. Chakraborty, Shankha & Papageorgiou, Chris & Pérez Sebastián, Fidel, 2010. "Diseases, infection dynamics, and development," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 57(7), pages 859-872, October.
    8. İlkay Unay-Gailhard & Mark A. Brennen, 2022. "How digital communications contribute to shaping the career paths of youth: a review study focused on farming as a career option," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(4), pages 1491-1508, December.
    9. Kawalec Paweł, 2020. "The dynamics of theories of economic growth: An impact of Unified Growth Theory," Economics and Business Review, Sciendo, vol. 6(2), pages 19-44, June.
    10. Mahin Ghafari & Vali Baigi & Zahra Cheraghi & Amin Doosti-Irani, 2016. "The Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Iranian Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(6), pages 1-10, June.
    11. Elizabeth T Cafiero-Fonseca & Andrew Stawasz & Sydney T Johnson & Reiko Sato & David E Bloom, 2017. "The full benefits of adult pneumococcal vaccination: A systematic review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(10), pages 1-23, October.
    12. Santos Urbina & Sofía Villatoro & Jesús Salinas, 2021. "Self-Regulated Learning and Technology-Enhanced Learning Environments in Higher Education: A Scoping Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-12, June.
    13. Antonin BERGEAUD & Gilbert Cette & Rémy Lecat, 2017. "What role did education, equipment age and technology play in 20th century productivity growth?," Rue de la Banque, Banque de France, issue 43, may..
    14. Oded Berger-Tal & Alison L Greggor & Biljana Macura & Carrie Ann Adams & Arden Blumenthal & Amos Bouskila & Ulrika Candolin & Carolina Doran & Esteban Fernández-Juricic & Kiyoko M Gotanda & Catherine , 2019. "Systematic reviews and maps as tools for applying behavioral ecology to management and policy," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 30(1), pages 1-8.
    15. Dietrich Vollrath, 2009. "The dual economy in long-run development," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 287-312, December.
    16. Nadine Desrochers & Adèle Paul‐Hus & Jen Pecoskie, 2017. "Five decades of gratitude: A meta‐synthesis of acknowledgments research," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 68(12), pages 2821-2833, December.
    17. Maryono, Maryono & Killoes, Aditya Marendra & Adhikari, Rajendra & Abdul Aziz, Ammar, 2024. "Agriculture development through multi-stakeholder partnerships in developing countries: A systematic literature review," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    18. Alene Sze Jing Yong & Yi Heng Lim & Mark Wing Loong Cheong & Ednin Hamzah & Siew Li Teoh, 2022. "Willingness-to-pay for cancer treatment and outcome: a systematic review," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 23(6), pages 1037-1057, August.
    19. Xue-Ying Xu & Hong Kong & Rui-Xiang Song & Yu-Han Zhai & Xiao-Fei Wu & Wen-Si Ai & Hong-Bo Liu, 2014. "The Effectiveness of Noninvasive Biomarkers to Predict Hepatitis B-Related Significant Fibrosis and Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(6), pages 1-16, June.
    20. Xavier Raurich & Thomas Seegmuller, 2017. "Growth and Bubbles: The Interplay between Productive Investment and the Cost of Rearing Children," Working Papers halshs-01563555, HAL.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sustainable development goals; SDG 8; Natural language processing; European framework programmes; Research funding;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L38 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Public Policy
    • O22 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Project Analysis
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • O00 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - General - - - General

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:kap:decono:v:173:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10645-024-09448-0. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.