In this article, we propose a synthetic indicator for the performance orientation of public R&D funding at the country level that allows for quantitative comparisons across countries and over time, and we illustrate the methodology for its computation and validation. The indicator characterizes R&D funding from the state in terms of the extent the beneficiaries’ performance is taken into account in the allocation of resources. By building on the literature on research funding, the indicator combines information on how funding is allocated with quantitative measures of funding volumes. It is operationalized in terms of a fine-grained decomposition of public R&D funding in instruments, each of them characterized by their mode and criteria of allocation. Building on a large-scale European project, we test the operationalization of the indicator for a sample of European countries, and we perform a set of sensitivity and robustness analyses to inquire the impact of definitions and of data issues, particularly for what concerns cross-country comparisons. We conclude with a discussion of the advantages and limitations of the indicator and by proposing a research agenda for its further development.

中文翻译：

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概念化和衡量研究资助系统的绩效导向

在本文中，我们提出了国家水平上公共研发经费绩效取向的综合指标，该指标可进行国家间和长期的定量比较，并说明了其计算和验证的方法。该指标根据在分配资源时考虑到受益人表现的程度来表征来自州的R＆D资金。通过基于研究资金的文献，该指标将有关资金分配方式的信息与资金量的量化指标结合在一起。它是通过对工具中公共R＆D资金的细粒度分解来实施的，每种工具均以其分配方式和分配标准为特征。在大型欧洲项目的基础上，我们对一个欧洲国家的样本测试了该指标的可操作性，并进行了一组敏感性和稳健性分析，以查询定义和数据问题的影响，尤其是对于跨国比较而言。最后，我们讨论了该指标的优点和局限性，并提出了进一步发展该指标的研究议程。