Abstract

Based on U.S. data for the 48-year-period 1953–2000, this study makes a contribution on the R&D-growth relation along five dimensions. First, we note several descriptive patterns that may be regarded as stylized facts relative to R&D outlays in the U.S. during the half-century period. These include (a) a dramatic increase in the share of non-federal R&D outlays, (b) a corresponding decline in the share of federally funded R&D expenditure, and (c) an even more dramatic decline in the share of defense R&D spending. Second, in a departure from most of the literature on the topic, we study the R&D-growth nexus at a disaggregated level by considering the roles of federal, non-federal, and defense R&D outlays. Third, we use the relatively new bounds-testing and ARDL (autoregressive distributed lag) procedures of Pesaran et al. [Pesaran, M. H., Shin, Y., & Smith, R. J. (2001). Bounds testing approaches to the analysis of level relationships. Journal of Applied Econometrics, 16, 289–326] to estimate the (long run) relation between R&D outlays and growth in a fairly standard model. Fourth, contrary to the almost universal belief, our estimates indicate a larger role of federal R&D relative to non-federal R&D in growth, and also a stronger role of defense R&D than of non-defense (federal) R&D. Last, to the extent our estimates are reasonable, the above-noted temporal movements in the shares of federal, non-federal, and defense R&D outlays seem to reflect socially perverse trends in the context of economic growth and well-being, and indicate the need for appropriate policy interventions for a substantial enhancement of federal defense R&D and non-defense R&D outlays.

Keywords: R&D; Economic growth; Defense R&D; Federal R&D; Non-federal R&D

JEL classification codes: O38; O40; H40

Article Outline

1. Introduction

2. Model, data, and estimation methodology

2.1. Data

2.2. Estimation methodology

3. Main findings

4. Discussion and some additional considerations

5. Concluding remarks

Acknowledgements

Appendix A. Basic data on R&D funding in the United States: 1953–2000

References