This report from the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI) analyzes the impact of technology diffusion services by public testing and research institutes on SME labor productivity through comparative analysis before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, based on research by Shinya Fukukawa from Tohoku University.
Key Points
1. Verification of Productivity Effects through Empirical Analysis
- Comparative analysis of 'pre-pandemic' (2016-2019) and 'pandemic period' (2020-2023) through nationwide SME manager surveys
- Confirmed consistently higher labor productivity trends among companies using public research institutes throughout the survey period
- Demonstrated statistically significant productivity improvement effects, clarifying policy support effectiveness
2. Opportunity Loss Due to Insufficient System Awareness
- Existence of companies not using services due to lack of awareness about public research institutes represents important policy challenge
- Highlighted importance of information provision and awareness activities, necessitating strengthened outreach
- Urgent need to improve support access for companies missing productivity improvement opportunities
3. Interaction Between Company Characteristics and Support Effects
- Productivity effects from public institute support expand for companies actively engaged in R&D and digitalization
- This trend appeared more clearly during pandemic period, suggesting importance of innovation support during external environmental changes
- Confirmed complementarity between internal company capabilities and external support, necessitating effective support targeting
4. Rational Selection Behavior Based on Comparative Advantage
- While highly productive companies tend to use public institutes more, companies with equivalent capabilities not using them also exist
- Suggests companies rationally decide whether to use public institutes based on their situation and strengths
- Can be interpreted as selection behavior based on comparative advantage theory, confirming rationality in corporate strategic decision-making
5. Geographic Constraints and Solutions through Digitalization
- Confirmed distance effects where companies geographically far from public institutes face service usage difficulties
- Geographic constraint impacts were reduced to some extent during pandemic period through spread of online support
- Demonstrated possibility of improving support service accessibility through digital technology utilization
The article concludes that public testing and research institute technology diffusion services are effective for SME productivity improvement, particularly highlighting the importance of support for companies actively engaged in innovation and during pandemic periods.