R&D Policies for Young SMEs: Input and Output Effects

This paper evaluates the current focus of EU policy makers on small and medium-sized, young independent firms in high-tech sectors. Therefore, the effect of subsidies on both R&D input and R&D output is compared between independent high-tech young firms (NTBFs), independent low-tech young firms (LTBFs) and their non-independent counterparts. A treatment effects analysis reveals that full crowding-out with regard to public funding is rejected for all firm types. However, the treatment effect is highest for independent high-tech firms. The indirect effect of subsidies on R&D output is evaluated within a patent production framework. These results show that independent high-tech firms have no lower output effects than other firms and thus suggest that the current policy focus on certain firm types is not ineffective.

Czarnitzki, Dirk and Julie Delanote (2015), R&D Policies for Young SMEs: Input and Output Effects, ZEW Discussion Paper No. 15-032, Mannheim, published in: Small Business Economics.