Country Efficiency Study Based on Science & Technology Indicators: DEA Approach

Abstract

[EN] This paper examines the relative efficiency of the innovation process in 75 countries worldwide during the period 2010-2018 using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Research and development (R&D) technical efficiency is examined using a model with R&D expenditure as an input and patents, trademark applications and scientific and technical journal papers as outputs. The results of this work confirm that there is no direct relationship between innovation efficiency and the resources are devoted to it. Furthermore, a lack of concern for technological progress was detected, focusing efforts on the best use of available technology and on changes of scale in innovation activities. For this reason, the governments of the countries should promote scientific and technological research which will make it possible to create and improve the current technologies and to have human resources that are highly trained and qualified for the working environment.