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International R&D spillovers, absorptive capacity and relative backwardness: a panel smooth transition regression model

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  • Andrea Fracasso
  • Giuseppe Vittucci Marzetti

Abstract

We investigate how the country�s absorptive capacity and relative backwardness affect the impact of international R&D spillovers on domestic Total Factor Productivity (TFP). To account for nonlinearities, we adopt a Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR) approach, where the country�s elasticity of TFP to foreign R&D stock is allowed to change smoothly across various identified extreme values, and this change is related to observable transition variables: human capital (capturing the country�s absorptive capacity) and relative backwardness. The results suggest that absorptive capacity is positively associated with international R&D spillovers. In addition, and in contrast with previous results, relative backwardness has a negative and significant impact on them.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Fracasso & Giuseppe Vittucci Marzetti, 2012. "International R&D spillovers, absorptive capacity and relative backwardness: a panel smooth transition regression model," Department of Economics Working Papers 1203, Department of Economics, University of Trento, Italia.
    • Handle: RePEc:trn:utwpde:1203
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    3. Naijela Janaina Costa Silveira & Diogo Ferraz & Eduardo Polloni‐Silva & Diego Scarpa de Mello & Fernanda Pereira Sartori Falguera & Herick Fernando Moralles, 2022. "Modeling the building blocks of country‐level absorptive capacity: Comparing developed and emergent economies," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 74(3), pages 783-824, July.
    4. Iman Miremadi & Yadollah Saboohi, 2018. "Planning for Investment in Energy Innovation: Developing an Analytical Tool to Explore the Impact of Knowledge Flow," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 8(2), pages 7-19.
    5. Ahmadova, Gozal & Delgado-Márquez, Blanca L. & Pedauga, Luis E. & Leyva-de la Hiz, Dante I., 2022. "Too good to be true: The inverted U-shaped relationship between home-country digitalization and environmental performance," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    6. Chao Bi & Minna Jia & Jingjing Zeng, 2019. "Nonlinear Effect of Public Infrastructure on Energy Intensity in China: A Panel Smooth Transition Regression Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-21, January.
    7. Joe‐Ming Lee, 2021. "Regime switching dynamics in mutual fund cash holdings, risk, and size threshold effect," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(2), pages 2832-2845, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Absorptive capacity; International R&D spillovers; Nonlinear panel; Smooth Transition Regression; Total Factor Productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • C24 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Truncated and Censored Models; Switching Regression Models; Threshold Regression Models
    • F43 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Economic Growth of Open Economies
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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