The R&D drop in European utilities. Should we care about it?

Sterlacchini, Alessandro (2006): The R&D drop in European utilities. Should we care about it? Published in: DRUID Working Paper No. No. 06-19 (2006)

Abstract

By using accounting data from the largest utility companies of Europe, this note illustrates the recent R&D performance in energy and telecommunication. Although not all the companies under consideration behaved symmetrically, most of them reduced substantially their R&D investment. Over the period 2000-05, their total R&D expenditures at current prices decreased by 33%, while their R&D intensity (on sales) diminished from 1.1 to 0.7%. In discussing the above findings, it is argued that a drop of this size is hardly justifiable and weakens the EU economy in a non-negligible manner.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: R&D performance; energy and telecommunication utilities
• Subjects: O - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth > O3 - Technological Change; Research and Development > O38 - Government Policy; L - Industrial Organization > L9 - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities > L97 - Utilities: General; O - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth > O3 - Technological Change; Research and Development > O32 - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

References

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