Abstract

In the current context of increasing globalisation, innovation and investment in R&D become crucial. Furthermore, European Lisbon strategy gave disappointing results in terms of R&D expenditures and patents. In this context, our paper deals with some OECD characteristics concerning their connection to global markets of knowledge and technology trade. Statistical results show that the USA are great performers in terms of R&D expenditures and patents, with large openness to foreign collaboration, Japan is successful in innovative activities while quite isolated from global research network. The European Union seems to be in the opposite situation. Nevertheless contrasted situations are observed, depending on the European countries. For instance Sweden, Finland and Denmark register quite good results in terms of R&D. Concerning technological trade, Technology Balance of Payments (TBP) statistics give some additional results. While the EU15 used to exhibiting a TBP deficit, the situation has changed since 2006 and the EU15 registers a surplus. This performance relies on Germany, Sweden and Austria, which are the main exporters of technology among European countries. Thanks to this first statistical analysis, it seems that technological profiles of OECD countries impact on technological trade flows. Except some specific countries’ characteristics, leaders in R&D are quite active in terms of technological exports and also imports. For instance, the European leaders in R&D export their technologies but seem also active by importing technologies from abroad.

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