Can R&D subsidies counteract the economic crisis? – Macroeconomic effects in Germany
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12_2015_Research Policy Brautzsch Günther Loose Ludwig Nulsch.pdf | Can R&D subsidies counteract the economic crisis? Postprint | 707.54 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Authors: | Brautzsch, Hans-Ulrich Günther, Jutta ![]() Loose, Brigitte Ludwig, Udo Nulsch, Nicole |
Abstract: | During the economic crisis of 2008 and 2009, governments in Europe stabilized their economies by means of fiscal policy. After decades of absence, deficit spending was used to counteract the heavy decline in demand. In Germany, public spending went partially into R&D subsidies in favor of small and medium sized enterprises. Applying the standard open input-output model, the paper analyzes the macroeconomic effects of R&D subsidies on employment and production in the business cycle. Findings in the form of backward multipliers suggest that R&D subsidies have stimulated a substantial leverage effect. Almost two thirds of the costs of R&D projects are covered by the enterprises themselves. Overall, a subsidized R&D program results in a production, value added and employment effect that amounts to at least twice the initial financing. Overall, the R&D program counteracts the decline of GDP by 0.5% in the year 2009. In the year 2010 the effects are already procyclical since the German economy recovered quickly. Compared to the strongly discussed alternative uses of subsidies for private consumption, R&D spending is more effective. |
Keywords: | economic crisis; R&D subsidies; stabilization policy; macroeconomic effects; backward multipliers; input-output model | Issue Date: | 2015 | Journal/Edited collection: | Research Policy | Start page: | 623 | End page: | 633 | Type: | Artikel/Aufsatz | ISSN: | 0048-7333 | Secondary publication: | no | DOI: | 10.26092/elib/185 | URN: | urn:nbn:de:gbv:46-elib44006 | Institution: | Universität Bremen | Faculty: | Fachbereich 07: Wirtschaftswissenschaft (FB 07) |
Appears in Collections: | Forschungsdokumente |
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