Vol. 10, No. 1 (2014): 33-47
Abstract
This paper presents an evaluation of the efficient use of public research and development (R&D) expenditure in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region by using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The efficiency of public R&D expenditure is measured as a percentage of GDP, by considering it as an input to knowledge generation. Two knowledge outputs are considered, namely real GDP growth and high-tech goods export as a percentage of total manufacturing exports. All data are collected from World Development Indicators (2010), World Competitiveness Yearbook (2011) and ASEAN publications. The efficiency results are prepared following both constant returns to scale (CRS) and variable returns to scale (VRS) assumptions. The efficiency scores under CRS suggest that the Philippines and Indonesia were the best performers in 2010 while under VRS, Singapore and Thailand were the most efficient countries in 2010. Special emphasis is placed on how to present the DEA results to government and policy makers in order to provide more policy guidance on how to achieve optimum knowledge output relative to R&D expenditure.
Author’s bio
Munshi Naser Ibne Afzal is currently doing PhD in Economics at the School of Commerce in University of Southern Queensland, Australia. He recently published a few research papers in international referred journals on Knowledge-based Economics (KBEs) frameworks, national innovation system and innovation policies focusing ASEAN region. His interest includes KBE frameworks, national and regional innovation system, triple helix model, measurements technique and sustainable development through KBE in ASEAN.
Roger Lawrey is a Professor and Head of School, School of Commerce, University of Southern Queensland, Australia. He is an economist with research interests that include the development of small states, the knowledge economy, energy and resource economics, public utility pricing and managerial economics. He has published four books and many articles in internationally refereed journals. His experience in the field spans more than twenty five years, and he has worked in industry, consultancy and/or academia in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Brunei.
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