Productivity Growth and R&D Spillovers from University to Industry

This paper examines the link between Japanese universities' education and research and productivity growth in industry, using a newly available data set on 12 Japanese industries for the period between 1973 and 1998. We obtain empirical evidence showing that the supply of highly educated human capital from universities to industry plays an important role in the productivity growth of Japanese manufacturing industry during 1973|1985. We confirmed that the rate of return to R&D spillovers from universities has declined in recent years.total factor productivity, inter-industry R&D spillover, university-industry R&D spillovers

An Alternative System GMM Estimation in Dynamic Panel Models

The system GMM estimator in dynamic panel data models which combines two moment conditions, i.e., for the differenced equation and for the model in levels, is known to be more efficient than the first-difference GMM estimator. However, an initial optimal weight matrix is not known for the system estimation procedure. Therefore, we suggest the use of 'a suboptimal weight matrix' which may reduce the finite sample bias whilst increasing its efficiency. Using the Kantorovich inequality, we find that the potential efficiency gain becomes large when the variance of individual effects increases compared to the variance of the idiosyncratic errors. (Our Monte Carlo experiments show that the small sample properties of the suboptimal system estimator are shown to be much more reliable than any other conventional system GMM estimator in terms of bias and efficiency.Dynamic panel data, sub-optimal weighting matrix, KI upper boud

Unilateral vs. cross licensing:A theory and new evidence on the firm-level determinants

This paper examines the firm level determinants of the incidence of cross-licensing. It develops a simple stochastic theory explaining such incidence, and confirms its implications based on new dataset of licensing contracts by Japanese firms. Among major findings are: (1) Licensing probability has an almost linear relationship with the size of a potential licensor. (2) Cross-licensing is more prevalent between large and symmetric firms. (3) A licensing contract with only patents is more likely to involve cross-licensing than that with only trade secret. (4) A licensor is on the average larger than a licensee.cross-licensing licensing contracts patent

Productivity growth and R&D spillovers in Japanese manufacturing industry

This paper estimates the contribution of R&D spillovers to productivity growth Japanese manufacturing industry by estimating two alternative measures of productivity growth and two different types of R&D spillovers. The results suggest that TFP growth is affected neither by rent R&D spillovers nor by knowledge R&D spillovers. However, knowledge R&D spillovers were found to have an effect on technical change.total factor productivity, technical change, rent R&D spillover, knowledge R&D spillover, Japan

Do Out-In M&As Bring Higher TFP to Japan?: An Empirical Analysis Based on Micro-data on Japanese Manufacturing Firms

This paper compares the performance of foreign-owned and domestically-owned firms, using micro data on Japanese firms in the manufacturing sector for the period 1994-2000. The overall comparison between foreign-owned and Japanese companies shows that foreign-owned companies enjoyed 5% higher TFP as well as higher earnings and returns on capital. They also displayed a higher capital-labor ratio and higher R&D intensity. Reflecting their higher TFP and labor-saving production patterns, foreign-owned companies showed higher labor productivity and wage rates as well. By estimating Probit models, we found that foreign firms acquire Japanese firms with higher TFP levels and higher profit rates. In contrast, in-in M&As seem to have the characteristics of rescue missions. Small firms with a higher total liability/total asset ratio tend to be chosen as targets of in-in M&As. We also estimated the dynamic effects of M&As on target firms. The results indicate that out-in M&As improve target firms' TFP level and current profit/sales ratio. Compared with in-in M&As, out-in M&As bring a larger and quicker improvement in TFP and the profit rate but no increase in target firms' employment two years after the acquisition.FDI, TFP, in-in M&A, out-in M&A

Plant Turnover and TFP Dynamics in Japanese Manufacturing

This study analyzes the cause of the slowdown in Japan's TFP growth during the 1990s. Many preceding studies, examining the issue at the macro- or industry-level, have found that the slowdown was primarily due to the stagnation in TFP growth in the manufacturing sector. Using establishment level panel data covering the entire sector, we investigate the causes of the TFP slowdown and find that the reallocation of resources from less efficient to more efficient firms was very slow and limited. This "low metabolism" seems to be an important reason for the slowdown in Japan's TFP growth.