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Catching Up, Absorption Capability and the Organisation of Human Capital

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  • Lankhuizen, Maureen

    (MERIT)

Abstract

In order to identify, assimilate and exploit knowledge spill-overs from technological leaders, lagging countries need absorption capability. The main determinant of absorption capability is the organisation of R&D personnel. Relatively more research scientists and engineers must be employed in the productive sector than in the university and public research sector. To increase the absorptive capacity of the productive sector it is necessary that enterprises engage in in- house R&D activities. This conclusion implies that the possibilities to exploit the catching up potential are highest for countries whose initial technology gaps are relatively small. This is quite at odds with the conventional convergence hypothesis.

Suggested Citation

  • Lankhuizen, Maureen, 1998. "Catching Up, Absorption Capability and the Organisation of Human Capital," Research Memorandum 014, Maastricht University, Maastricht Economic Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:umamer:1998014
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    File URL: https://unu-merit.nl/publications/rmpdf/1998/rm1998-014.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jan Fagerberg & Bart Verspagen & G. N. von Tunzelmann (ed.), 1994. "The Dynamics Of Technology, Trade And Growth," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 163, March.
    2. Romer, Paul M, 1990. "Endogenous Technological Change," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 98(5), pages 71-102, October.
    3. Cohen, Wesley M & Levinthal, Daniel A, 1989. "Innovation and Learning: The Two Faces of R&D," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 99(397), pages 569-596, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tarek Bel Hadj, 2014. "Lagged R&D spillovers and international competitiveness: A sectoral approach in the case of Tunisia," Social-Economic Debates, Association for Entreprenorial Spirit Promotion, vol. 3(1), pages 31-41, April.

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