This paper explores the determinants of productivity gaps within the European Union in computing, chemicals, basic metals and food manufacturing – four sectors that vary in terms of the intensity of sectoral R&D. Our analysis reveals that the main causes of these productivity gaps are intensity of unembodied or disembodied R&D activity and R&D embodied in purchased equipment and machinery, and their interplay. While disembodied and embodied R&D are both associated positively to closing productivity gaps, the interaction between the two does not have the same effect. There is no complementarity between these technology acquisition modes, despite both disembodied and embodied technology are crucial for productivity catch up. In a policy context, this suggests possible lack of coordination between R&D policy and technology transfer (that is, foreign direct investment, trade and industrial policy). We show, also, that the productivity gap between ‘peripheral’ (southern and eastern) and ‘north’ EU countries is widening.

中文翻译：

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研发的两个脱节的面孔和欧洲的生产力差距

本文探讨了欧盟在计算、化学、基本金属和食品制造方面生产力差距的决定因素——这四个部门的部门研发强度各不相同。我们的分析表明，造成这些生产力差距的主要原因是无形或无形的研发活动的强度以及购买设备和机械中的研发活动，以及它们之间的相互作用。虽然无形和有形的研发都与缩小生产力差距正相关，但两者之间的相互作用并没有相同的效果。这些技术获取模式之间没有互补性，尽管无形和有形技术对于生产力赶超至关重要。在政策背景下，这表明 R& D 政策和技术转让（即外国直接投资、贸易和产业政策）。我们还表明，“外围”（南部和东部）和“北部”欧盟国家之间的生产力差距正在扩大。