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PhD trained employees and firms’ transitions to upstream R&D activities

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  • Andrés Barge-Gil
  • Pablo D'Este
  • Liliana Herrera

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between firms’ transition towards upstream-R&D activities and the availability of R&D employees with PhD training. Doctoral trained employees have distinct motivations for research: some have stronger preferences for intellectual freedom and autonomy, while others reveal greater aspirations for targeted research and opportunities for development of new products and processes. These contrasting profiles among PhD trained employees lead to ambiguous predictions about whether a greater presence of employees with a doctoral training enhances the capacity of firms to initiate upstream-oriented R&D. We examine this question by studying a large sample of Spanish manufacturing firms which are active in development activities, and investigate the effect of PhD trained R&D employees on the propensity of firms to initiate upstream-oriented R&D. Our results show that a higher proportion of PhDs in R&D functions has a positive and significant influence on the firm’s initiation of an upstream-oriented R&D strategy.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrés Barge-Gil & Pablo D'Este & Liliana Herrera, 2021. "PhD trained employees and firms’ transitions to upstream R&D activities," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(4), pages 424-455, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:indinn:v:28:y:2021:i:4:p:424-455
    DOI: 10.1080/13662716.2020.1817728
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    2. Lawson, Cornelia & Lopes-Bento, Cindy, 2024. "Miss or match? The impact of PhD training on job market satisfaction," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(3).
    3. Mulligan, Kevin & Lenihan, Helena & Doran, Justin & Roper, Stephen, 2022. "Harnessing the science base: Results from a national programme using publicly-funded research centres to reshape firms’ R&D," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(4).
    4. Gao, Lei & Cai, Jianfeng & Chen, Nan & Zhong, Jianyi, 2025. "The effect of academic scientists on corporate exploratory innovation performance: Knowledge focus versus long-term focus," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 77(PA).
    5. Afcha, S. & García-Quevedo, J. & Mas-Verdú, F., 2023. "Gaining or losing PhDs: What are the effects on firms' linkages with universities?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 186(PA).
    6. Martínez, Catalina & Parlane, Sarah, 2023. "Academic scientists in corporate R&D: A theoretical model," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(5).

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