Product differentiation, process R&D, and the nature of market competition

Ping LIN*, Kamal SAGGI

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Book Chapters | Papers in Conference ProceedingsBook ChapterResearchpeer-review

Abstract

We investigate the relationship between process and product R&D and compare the incentives for both types of R&D under different modes of market competition (Bertrand versus Cournot). It is shown that: (i) process R&D investments increase with the degree of product differentiation and firms invest more in product R&D when they can do process R&D than when they cannot; (ii) Bertrand firms have a stronger incentive for product R&D whereas Cournot firms invest more in process R&D; and (iii) cooperation in product R&D promotes both types of R&D relative to competition whereas cooperation in both types of R&D discourages R&D relative to cooperation in just product R&D.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTechnology Transfer, Foreign Direct Investment, and the Protection of Intellectual Property in the Global Economy
EditorsKamal SAGGI
Place of PublicationSingapore
PublisherWorld Scientific
Chapter29
Pages647-657
Number of pages11
ISBN (Electronic)9789813233027, 9789813233034
ISBN (Print)9789813233010
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Publication series

NameWorld Scientific Studies in International Economics
Volume82
ISSN (Print)1793-3641

Bibliographical note

This chapter was originally appeared in European Economic Review 46, 201–211.
Publisher Copyright: © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V.

Keywords

  • Complementarity
  • Process R&D
  • Product R&D

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