Mapping R&D Investment by the European ICT Business Sector
The JRC has published a new Reference Report. The report, "Mapping R&D Investment by the European ICT Business Sector" provides European business and policy decision-makers with the first comprehensive overview of available data on European ICT industry R&D spending. The research, carried out by the JRC Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) at the request of the European Commission's Information Society & Media Directorate General, shows that the ICT industry based in Europe is the largest R&D-investing sector, contributing 26% of total business expenditures in R&D (BERD), ahead of the automotive and pharmaceutical industries.
Nevertheless, the EU's ICT industry spends some 50% less on R&D than its counterparts based in the US, not only in absolute amounts but also as a share of the respective Gross Domestic Product. This differential in the ICT business sector R&D accounts for half the overall R&D gap between the EU and the US.
This report is the first in a series of studies that will be extended to provide further analysis of data from the EU27 and to incorporate public financing for ICT R&D. Future reports will aim to measure EU ICT R&D performance vis-à-vis other leading world economies.
For further information: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/jrc/index.cfm?id=2540&lang=en
Erik-Wilhelm Graef Behm
IT Centrum Väst/ICT Department
