Are international R&D spillovers trade-related? (original) (raw)

1998, European Economic Review

In this paper, I analyze recent findings by Coe and Helpman (1995) on trade-related international R&D spillovers. A Monte-Carlo-based robustness test is proposed which compares the elasticity of domestic productivity with respect to foreign R&D estimated by Coe and Helpman with an elasticity which is based on counterfactual international trade patterns. It is shown that also these, randomly created trade patterns give rise to positive international R&D spillover estimates, which are often larger, and explain more of the variation in productivity across countries than if 'true' bilateral trade patterns are employed. The finding casts doubt on the claim that patterns of international trade are important in driving R&D spillovers.

Sign up for access to the world's latest research.

checkGet notified about relevant papers

checkSave papers to use in your research

checkJoin the discussion with peers

checkTrack your impact