The Discussion Papers series presents results from ongoing research projects and other research and analysis by SSB staff, intended for international journals or books. The views and conclusions in this document are those of the author(s).
Our empirical analyses are based on an extended Cobb-Douglas production function that allows for firms with zero R&D capital, which is especially useful for studying firms’ transition from being R&D-non—active to becoming R&D-active. Using a large panel of Norwegian firms observed in the period 2001-2018, we estimate the average private net return to be in the range 0-5 percent across a variety of model specifications if we treat intra- and extramural R&D symmetrically. If in compliance with the Frascati manual, we treat intramural R&D as investment and extramural R&D as intermediate input, the estimated net return increases to 5-10 percent.