Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/51676 
Year of Publication: 
2010
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 5405
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We develop a general equilibrium model of international trade with heterogeneous firms, where countries can invest into basic research to improve their technological potential. These research investments tighten firm selection and raise the average productivity of firms in the market, thereby implying lower consumer prices and higher welfare. In an open economy, there is also a strategic investment motive since a higher technological potential gives domestic firms a competitive advantage in trade. Countries tend to over-invest due to this strategic motive. There are thus welfare gains from coordinating research investments. The over-investment problem turns to an under-investment problem if there are sufficiently strong cross-country spillovers of basic research investments.
Subjects: 
public research investments
public R&D
international trade
heterogeneous firms
basic research
strategic trade policy
JEL: 
F12
F13
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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