The Role of R&D in Shaping Public Sector Typologies: An European Perspective

One of functions of the modern public states for improving dynamism in the economic system is the use of their support to cope with the market and systemic failures created in the innovation area: the R&D promoted by public administrations can be considered a dimension, among others, of their performance in society. This paper explores the relationships between the R&D promoted by public administrations and the different typologies of states from a European perspective. The results show some similarities between the public sectors in terms of general characteristics such as performance or stability and the most R&D-oriented promoters. However, differences are found depending on indicators and types analyzed. The existence of large differences within each type of public sector is also confirmed. Results suggest the influence that pro-innovation profiles of public sectors might exert on general innovation system and performance patterns in EU countries.