Technology Flows in the Austrian Economy

To complement the traditional science and technology indicators, the OECD has been measuring the total R&D content of output flows for several years. This measure not only includes direct expenditures on research and development but also the R&D content of intermediate and investment goods, both domestic and imported. For the first time, computations of the total R&D content were performed for the Austrian economy. For a small open economy, technology flows embodied in imports are particularly relevant. The fundamental change in the pattern of technology flows between 1976 and 1994 demonstrates Austria's evolution towards a "knowledge-based economy".