On the robustness of R&D

Alternative models of productivity predict a range of its determinants besides that of research and development (R&D). We investigate the robustness of R&D vis-A -vis a dozen productivity determinants in a panel of 16 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries through panel cointegration, bootstrap simulations and extensive sensitivity tests. Domestic knowledge stocks, international knowledge diffusion and human capital remain robust across all measures. The cross-country differences in accumulated knowledge stocks and human capital appear to explain productivity differences across countries.