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The Financing of Research and Development

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  • Bronwyn H. Hall

Abstract

Evidence on the 'funding gap' for R&D is surveyed. The focus is on financial-market reasons for under-investment in R&D that persist even in the absence of externality induced under-investment. The conclusions are that (i) small and new innovative firms experience high costs of capital that are only partly mitigated by the presence of venture capital; (ii) evidence for high costs of R&D capital for large firms is mixed, although these firms do prefer internal funds for financing these investments; (iii) there are limits to venture capital as a solution to the funding gap, especially in countries where public equity markets are not highly developed; and (iv) further study of governmental seed capital and subsidy programmes using quasi-experimental methods is warranted. Copyright 2002, Oxford University Press.

Suggested Citation

  • Bronwyn H. Hall, 2002. "The Financing of Research and Development," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 18(1), pages 35-51, Spring.
  • Handle: RePEc:oup:oxford:v:18:y:2002:i:1:p:35-51
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    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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