Innovation and Economic Growth: Factor Substitution, Technological Change and R&D Investment

기술혁신과 경제성장: 요소대체율, 기술진보율 및 연구개발투자

In this study, we estimated a CES production function for the Korean economy. We have found in the empirical results that the elasticity of the factor substitution is less than one and that the Korean economy exhibits labor-saving technological progress. In addition, we obtained the regression coefficient of R&D investment on technological change, i.e., the elasticity of R&D investment with respect to the technological change was 0.26% point. It implies that if R&D stock increases by 1%, labor efficiency increases 0.26% point through technological progress which is Hicksian non-neutral. It confirms that innovation-based growth strategy by increasing R&D investment would be effective on the one hand. Some policy consideration on the other might be needed for an increase in employment which is offset by technological progress.