Inter-industry technology flows in the United States

Abstract This paper presents for the U.S. economy a technology flows matrix tracing 1974 industrial R&D expenditures from their industries of origin to industries in which the use of resulting products and processes was anticipated. The distinction between origin and using industries is crucial to understanding the links between R&D and productivity growth. A regression analysis reveals high social rates of return and substantial productivity impacts from R&D attributed to industries of use.