Business enterprise R&ampD

This chapter provides guidance on the measurement of research and experimental development (R&ampD) performed in the Business enterprise sector, the sources of funding, breakdowns of the statistics by main economic activity, employment size of the business enterprise and geography. The indicators of R&ampD activity for the sector include R&ampD expenditure, R&ampD personnel, sources of R&ampD funds, the distribution of the R&ampD by basic research, applied research and experimental development. There is a discussion of breaking down the statistics by the industry orientation (the product field or the industry served) and why this should be considered. Distributions by fields of R&ampD (FORD), by socioeconomic objectives, geographic location and by specific technology areas are discussed. The chapter ends with a review of survey design, data collection and estimation in the sector. The resulting statistics support policy discussion related to dominant and emerging industries, concentration of R&ampD in regions, industries and enterprises, and the industry served by R&ampD performed by enterprises in the sector.