Citation
(2008), "R&D helps", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 57 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijppm.2008.07957cab.002
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
R&D helps
Investments in research and development (R&D) contribute significantly to increases in productivity, according to the European Commission’s latest Competitiveness Report.
The report reveals that in 2006, the EU’s GDP grew by 3 per cent, its highest increase since 2000. This improvement was due to an increase in productivity (the increase of GDP per employee) and employment growth. Furthermore, most new EU Member States, as well as countries with a relatively low GDP per capita, are catching up with their higher-performing neighbours.
From a sectoral standpoint, the strongest growth was found in industries with a strong information and communication technologies (ICT) component, such as communication equipment, office machinery and computers.
“These are very encouraging results, which tell us that the reforms under the revised Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs are starting to bear fruit”, said Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen. “European industries have managed to maintain their positions on global markets, contrary to American and Japanese producers. Now the challenge is to push forward our reform agenda.”