Comparative evaluation of performance of national R&D programs with heterogeneous objectives: A DEA approach

The strategic importance of performance evaluation of national R&D programs is highlighted as the resource allocation draws more attention in R&D policy agenda. Due to the heterogeneity of national R&D programs’ objectives, however, it is intractably difficult to relatively evaluate multiple programs and, consequently, few studies have been conducted on the performance comparison of the R&D programs. This study measures and compares the performance of national R&D programs using data envelopment analysis (DEA). Since DEA allows each DMU to choose the optimal weights of inputs and outputs which maximize its efficiency, it can mirror R&D programs’ unique characteristics by assigning relatively high weights to the variables in which each program has strength. Every project in every R&D program is evaluated together based on the DEA model for comparison of efficiency among different systems. Kruskal–Wallis test with a post hoc Mann–Whitney U test is then run to compare performance of R&D programs. Two alternative approaches to incorporating the importance of variables, the AR model and output integration, are also introduced. The results are expected to provide policy implications for effectively formulating and implementing national R&D programs.     

R&;D Equilibrium Strategies with Surfers

A typical assumption in the game-theoretic literature on research and development (R&D) is that all firms belonging to the industry under investigation pursue R&D activities. In this paper, we assume that the industry is composed of two groups; the first (the investors) is made of firms that have R&D facilities and are involved in this type of activity. The second group corresponds to firms that are inactive in R&D (the surfers). The latter group benefits from its competitors’ R&D efforts, thanks to involuntary spillovers. This division of the industry is in line with actual practice, where indeed not all firms are engaged in costly and risky R&D. We adopt a two-stage game formalism where, in the first stage investors decide on their levels of investment in R&D, and in the second stage all firms compete à la Cournot in the product market. We characterize and analyze the unique subgame perfect Nash equilibrium. Research supported by NSERC, Canada. F. Ben Abdelaziz is on leave at The College of Engineering, American University of Sharjah, UAE.     

Evaluating pharmaceutical R&D under technical and economic uncertainty

This study sets up a compound option approach for evaluating pharmaceutical R&D investment projects in the presence of technical and economic uncertainties. Technical uncertainty is modeled as a Poisson jump that allows for failure and thus abandonment of the drug development. Economic uncertainty is modeled as a standard diffusion process which incorporates both up-and downward shocks. Practical application of this method is emphasized through a case analysis. We show that both uncertainties have a positive impact on the R&D option value. Moreover, from the sensitivity analysis, we find that the sensitivity of the option with respect to economic uncertainty and market introduction cost decreases when technical uncertainty increases.     

A generalized real option pricing method of R&D investments: jump diffusion and external competition

ABSTRACT

Numerous studies have assessed Research and Development (R&D) investment using the real option pricing approach. This paper proposes a more general real option pricing method that both considers the specificity of R&D investment (such as uncertainty) and the R&D investment opportunity of a business in a market environment with external competitors. Specifically, we adopt a jump diffusion model to evaluate R&D investments that incorporate the uncertainties of these activities. The model values a pioneer's R&D investment opportunity allowing the chance that competitors may enter the market and the project value may vary with time. By construction and analysis of the model, we then analyse the optimal timing to realize profit on an investment. Overall, this model should facilitate a more comprehensive evaluation for R&D investments.     

Climate change and optimal energy technology R&D policy

Public policy response to global climate change presents a classic problem of decision making under uncertainty. Theoretical work has shown that explicitly accounting for uncertainty and learning in climate change can have a large impact on optimal policy, especially technology policy. However, theory also shows that the specific impacts of uncertainty are ambiguous. In this paper, we provide a framework that combines economics and decision analysis to implement probabilistic data on energy technology research and development (R&D) policy in response to global climate change. We find that, given a budget constraint, the composition of the optimal R&D portfolio is highly diversified and robust to risk in climate damages. The overall optimal investment into technical change, however, does depend (in a non-monotonic way) on the risk in climate damages. Finally, we show that in order to properly value R&D, abatement must be included as a recourse decision.     

A mixed R&D projects and securities portfolio selection model

The business environment is full of uncertainty. Allocating the wealth among various asset classes may lower the risk of overall portfolio and increase the potential for more benefit over the long term. In this paper, we propose a mixed single-stage R&D projects and multi-stage securities portfolio selection model. Specifically, we present a bi-objective mixed-integer stochastic programming model. Moreover, we use semi-absolute deviation risk functions to measure the risk of mixed asset portfolio. Based on the idea of moments approximation method via linear programming, we propose a scenario generation approach for the mixed single-stage R&D projects and multi-stage securities portfolio selection problem. The bi-objective mixed-integer stochastic programming problem can be solved by transforming it into a single objective mixed-integer stochastic programming problem. A numerical example is given to illustrate the behavior of the proposed mixed single stage R&D projects and multi-stage securities portfolio selection model.     

A note on the comparison of two different formulations of a risky R&D model

The purpose of this note is to provide a link between the Kamien and Schwartz [2], and the Aldrich and Morton [1] formulations of the so-called Lucas [3], risky R&D model. It is shown that the solutions of these formulations are identical for the stationary, exponential case. Furthermore, the properties of these solutions are discussed in order to focus on some of the characteristics of the model.     

Real R&;D options with time-to-learn and learning-by-doing

We model R&D efforts to enhance the value of a product or technology before final development. Such efforts may be directed towards improving quality, adding new features, or adopting technological innovations. They are implemented as optional, costly and interacting control actions expected to enhance value but with uncertain outcome. We examine the interesting issues of the optimal timing of R&D, the impact of lags in the realization of the R&D outcome, and the choice between accelerated versus staged (sequential) R&D. These issues are also especially interesting since the history of decisions affects future decisions and the distributions of asset prices and induces path-dependency. We show that the existence of optional R&D efforts enhances the investment option value significantly. The impact of a dividend-like payout rate or of project volatility on optimal R&D decisions may be different with R&D timing flexibility than without. The attractiveness of sequential strategies is enhanced in the presence of learning-by-doing and decreasing marginal reversibility of capital effects.     

性别差异对研发投资决策影响的实验研究

基于Z-Tree实验平台利用研发投资自然博弈实验研究发现风险规避导致女性的研发投入强度低于男性,但女性在研发投资过程中愿意投入的研发努力程度高于男性。随着时间推移,男性的研发努力程度明显下降,但女性的研发努力程度反而上升。男性和女性在决策中均表现出心理账户效应,女性更加愿意通过努力来提高业绩。男性在投资中更多体现期权思想,而女性更多表现出长期倾向下的持续努力。文章在揭示性别因素影响研发投资机理基础上,为董事会性别多样性、分级董事会以及递延薪酬等治理机制发挥作用机理提供了新解释。研究结论可以为企业职位的性别配置、分级董事会以及激励契约设计提供借鉴。     

不完全信息研发合作的形成及参与人行为选择因素

本通过囚徒困境重复博弈模型的思想研究合作研发中参与人合作策略形成的条件，考察了不完全信息研发合作中参与人合作行为的基础，并在此基础上讨论了研发合作中合作预期收益、不合作激励和合作机会成本对参与人研发合作行为选择的影响。     

Detecting simple dynamics in Cournot-like models

We introduced the so-called Cournot-like models, i.e. n-dimensional discrete dynamical systems which constitute the mathematical environment for modeling some economic and biological processes. The main aim of this work is to present a characterization of the dynamical simplicity for these types of systems through the property “to have zero topological entropy”. Cournot-like systems generalize the well-known economic situation of competition in a duopolistic market introduces by Cournot in 1838.     

Bifurcations and chaos in a nonlinear discrete time Cournot duopoly game

A nonlinear discrete time Cournot duopoly game is investigated in this paper. The conditions of existence for saddle-node bifurcation, transcritical bifurcation and flip bifurcation are derived using the center manifold theorem and the bifurcation theory. We prove that there exists chaotic behavior in the sense of Marotto＇s definition of chaos. The numerical simulations not only show the consistence with our theoretical analysis, but also exhibit the complex but interesting dynamical behaviors of the model. The computation of maximum Lyapunov exponents confirms the theoretical analysis of the dynamical behaviors of the system.     

考虑双参照点和Choquet积分的新型研发机构绩效评估方法及应用

针对新型研发机构绩效评估值不确定、指标间存在关联、投资主体多元且有风险偏好、指标集权重未知等绩效问题,提出基于双参照点和Choquet积分的绩效评估方法。首先,结合新型研发机构的特点,构建绩效评估指标体系;其次,基于累积前景理论设计同行-期望双参照点;然后,构建指标间直接关联矩阵,依据K-可加模糊测度和平均边际贡献Banzhaf值优化求解指标集权重,代入Choquet积分方法和参照点权重公式计算各新型研发机构的综合绩效评估值,从而实现机构排序和问题分析。该方法考虑了新型研发机构的特点、数据不确定性、指标关联性、风险偏好性、权重未知性等因素,更加符合实际情况,案例验证了方法的有效性和实用性。     

Strategic delegation under cost asymmetry revised

We revisit the Cournot duopoly game with strategic delegation and asymmetric costs of Delbono et al. (2016). In particular, the authors claim that a Prisoner Dilemma always arises. However, we show that, by setting properly the admissible parameter set, if the firms are sufficiently different, the efficient firm is better off when both firms delegate production. Therefore, in contrast with the traditional view, we claim that a Prisoner Dilemma is not an inevitable outcome in a strategic delegation game.     

基于面板数据模型的研发投入影响因素区域异质性研究——基于医药制造业样本的实证分析

基于面板数据模型研究了新产品经济产出、税收优惠、人力资本等因素对我国东中西部地区医药制造业研发资金投入强度影响.研究发现:1)东中西部地区在R&D投入影响因素上存在差异,其中人力资本、企业内部研发资金投入、税收优惠因素对东部地区R&D投入的显著作用依次增强;2)政府研发资金投入、人力资本、税收优惠、盈利能力对中部地区R&D投入的显著作用依次增强,而新产品经济产出呈现负向作用;3)企业内部研发资金投入对西部地区R&D投入显著作用强于人力资本因素,企业规模、税收优惠呈现出负向作用.建议我国应因地制宜采取相应对策,有效提高东中西部地区医药制造业R&D研发投入,进一步促进我国医药制造业创新能力和水平.     

The impact of delaying an investment decision on R&D projects in real option game

In a research and development (R&D) investment, the cost and the project value of such an investment are usually uncertain, which thus increases its complexity. Correspondingly, the NPV (Net Present Value) rule fails to evaluate the value of this project exactly, because this method does not take into account the market uncertainty, irreversibility of investment and ability of delay entry. In this paper, we employ the real option theory to evaluate the project value of a R&D investment. Since the cost of a R&D investment is very high and the flow of the information is crowded, an investor cannot make an immediate decision every time. So, the proposed real option model is an exchange option. At the same time, combining the real option and the game theory, we can find the Nash equilibrium which is the optimal strategy. Moreover, we also study how the delayed time influences the price of the project investment and how the different delayed times effect the choice of the optimal strategies.     

吸收能力与企业R＆D合作策略研究

由于技术溢出的存在,企业创新投资的私人收益率要低于社会收益率,从而导致创新动力的不足。然而,技术溢出能够被企业所用的条件是企业必须具有吸收能力。本文假设吸收能力决定于R＆D投资和技术差异性,通过引入吸收能力扩展了只考虑外生技术溢出的AJ模型,分析了R＆D不合作、R＆D合作和全合作三种情况下均衡R＆D投入水平和产量,并与AJ模型进行了比较。     

On the prisoner’s dilemma in R&D with input spillovers and incentives for R&D cooperation

This paper considers a standard model of strategic R&D with spillovers in R&D inputs, and extends the result that duopoly firms engaged in a standard two-stage game of R&D and Cournot competition end up in a prisoner’s dilemma situation for their R&D decisions, whenever spillover effects and R&D costs are relatively low. In terms of social welfare, this prisoner’s dilemma always works to the advantage of both consumers and society. This result allows a novel and enlightening perspective on some issues of substantial interest in the innovation literature. In particular, the incentive firms face towards R&D cooperation in the form of an R&D cartel is shown to be maximal for the case of zero spillovers, which is when the prisoner’s dilemma has the largest scope.     

A 3D hydrodynamic numerical model of the Río de la Plata and Montevideo’s coastal zone

The 3D hydrodynamic numerical model MOHID was applied in the Río de la Plata and Montevideo coastal zone in order to represent the main dynamics and to study its complex circulation pattern. The hydrodynamic model was calibrated and validated considering the following main forces: fresh water flow, astronomical and meteorological tides in the oceanic boundary, and wind acting on the water surface. A series of water levels measured at six coastal stations and vertical profiles of current velocity measured at four different locations in the estuarine zone of the Río de la Plata were used for calibrating and validating the hydrodynamic model. The calibration process was carried out in two steps. First the astronomical waves propagation was calibrated comparing harmonic constants of observed and computed sea surface elevation data. Next, both the astronomical and meteorological wave propagation was calibrated. Direct comparison of scatter plot and root-mean square errors of model results and field data were used when evaluating the calibration quality. The calibrated model shows good agreement with the measured water surface level in the entire domain with mean error values being minor than 20% of the measured data and correlation factors higher than 0.74. Also, the intensity and velocity direction observed in the currents data are well represented by the model in both bottom and surface levels with errors similar to 30% of the currents data components. Using the 3D calibrated model the bottom and surface residual circulation for a four month period of time was analyzed.