Article: R&D policy evaluation: the effects of R&D subsidies in Italy Journal: World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development (WRSTSD) 2012 Vol.9 No.2/3/4 pp.283 - 313 Abstract: In a context of scarce resources, exacerbated by the economic crisis, financing investment and structural changes in slowly growing economies, such as Italy, is very challenging. It becomes fundamental to engage in evaluation exercises in order to understand what policies are working and for whom. The paper offers an evaluation exercise on the major instruments used to promote R&D and innovation activities of Italian firms. We concentrate in particular on the incentives provided by Law 46/82 (and revisions) and we look at the effects they have on firms expenditures on R&D and on new employment generation. Unlike previous studies, we consider the effects of such incentives also when other similar policies are at work. We also look at the effects for different subgroups of firms. Results suggest that a rethinking of the system of incentives would be appropriate to limit an inefficient overlapping of instruments. They also highlight that the additionality of R&D investment is verified for some categories of firms. Starting from these results, further and continuous research is needed on this subject, in order to build a robust set of evidence to inform the policy making process. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: R&D policy evaluation: the effects of R&D subsidies in Italy

Authors: Elisa Barbieri; Roberto Iorio; Giuseppe Lubrano-Lavadera

Addresses: Department of Economic Studies, Institutions and Territory, University of Ferrara, Via Voltapaletto 11 – 44121 Ferrara, Italy. ' Dipartimento di Scienze Statistiche ed Economiche, Università di Salerno, Via Ponte don Melillo, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy. ' Dipartimento di Scienze Statistiche ed Economiche, Università di Salerno, Via Ponte don Melillo, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy

Abstract: In a context of scarce resources, exacerbated by the economic crisis, financing investment and structural changes in slowly growing economies, such as Italy, is very challenging. It becomes fundamental to engage in evaluation exercises in order to understand what policies are working and for whom. The paper offers an evaluation exercise on the major instruments used to promote R&D and innovation activities of Italian firms. We concentrate in particular on the incentives provided by Law 46/82 (and revisions) and we look at the effects they have on firms expenditures on R&D and on new employment generation. Unlike previous studies, we consider the effects of such incentives also when other similar policies are at work. We also look at the effects for different subgroups of firms. Results suggest that a rethinking of the system of incentives would be appropriate to limit an inefficient overlapping of instruments. They also highlight that the additionality of R&D investment is verified for some categories of firms. Starting from these results, further and continuous research is needed on this subject, in order to build a robust set of evidence to inform the policy making process.

Keywords: R&D subsidies; innovation policy; policy evaluation; additionality; incentives; heterogeneity; Italy; Law 46/82; research and development; innovation; R&D funding; research funding; new employment generation; R&D expenditure.

DOI: 10.1504/WRSTSD.2012.047691

World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 2012 Vol.9 No.2/3/4, pp.283 - 313

Published online: 18 Sep 2014 *

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Title: R&D policy evaluation: the effects of R&D subsidies in Italy

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