Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Article
  • Published:

Research, Innovation and Economic Growth

Nature volume 200, pages 206–210 (1963)Cite this article

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Smith, Adam, The Wealth of Nations, Book I, Chap. I.

  2. Smith, Adam, Op. cit., Book I, Chap. I.

  3. Kuznets, Simon, Six Lectures on Economic Growth, Lecture II, Illinois (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  4. The definitions of research and development used by the National Science Foundation for statistical surveys in the United States are the following: Research is systematic, intensive study directed towards fuller knowledge of the subject studied. Research may be either basic (that is, fundamental) or applied. Basic (that is, fundamental) research is directed toward increase of knowledge; it is research where the primary aim of the investigator is a fuller knowledge or understanding of the subject under study rather than a practical application thereof. Applied research is directed toward practical applications of knowledge. Development is the systematic use of knowledge directed toward the design and production of useful prototypes, materials, devices, systems, methods or processes. It does not include quality control or routine production testing. The fields of science covered by these surveys consist of the engineering, physical and life sciences.

  5. For example, see the publications of the National Science Foundation, Washington, and of the Central Bureau of Statistics, the Netherlands; the report of the Advisory Council for Scientific Policy, 1961–62, London, U.K.; Le Financement de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique en France (Paris, 1961).

  6. For example, Solow, R., “Technical Change and the Aggregate Production Function”. Rev. Economics and Statistics (1957). Massell, B., Determinants of Productivity Change in United States Manufacturing (Rand Corporation, California).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Freeman, C., “Research and Development. A Comparison between British and American Industry”. Nat. Inst. Economic Rev., No. 20 (May, 1962).

  8. Federation of British Industries. Industrial Research in Manufacturing Industry, 1959–60. (London, 1961). Some unpublished statistical work has also been done by Stanford Research Institute, California.

  9. National Economic Development Council. Growth of the United Kingdom Economy to 1966, 30 (London, 1963). Sveriges Industriförbund Ingan-jorsbehovet i Sverige(The demand for engineers in Sweden) (Stockholm, Sweden 1957).

  10. The Economist, November 24, 1962.

  11. The Machine Tool Industry. Board of Trade, London, 1960; and, Research and Development Requirements of the Shipbuilding and Marine Industries. D.S.I.R. (1960).

  12. Carter, C. F., “The Distribution of Scientific Effort” in Minerva, 1, No. 2 (1963). National Economic Development Council Conditions Favourable to Faster Growth, 32 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  13. In this context, one must exclude nuclear research concerned with the generation of energy.

  14. Solo, Robert A., “Gearing Military Research and Development to Economic Growth”, Harvard Business Rev. (November-December, 1962).

  15. Advisory Council for Scientific Policy: Ann. Rep., 1961–62 (London, 1963).

  16. In this context, see the recommendations of: The Management and Control of Research and Development. (H.M.S.O., London, 1961.) Rep. to the President on Government Contracting of Research and Development (Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1962).

  17. O.E.C.D. Third International Survey on the Demand and Supply of Scientific and Technical Personnel (to be published).

  18. Sir John Cockcroft's Presidential Address to the British Association, 1962.

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. K. PAVITT: The opinions expressed here are those of the author and not necessarily those of the O.E.C.D. I thank Dr. A. King and Mr. J. R. Gass for their comments and suggestions.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Directorate for Scientific Affairs of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris

    K. PAVITT

Authors
  1. K. PAVITT
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

PAVITT, K. Research, Innovation and Economic Growth. Nature 200, 206–210 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1038/200206a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/200206a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing