Radical or incremental: Where does R&D policy hit?

This study investigates the impact and effectiveness of a public R&D support policy. In a policy design that aims at incentivizing radical as well as incremental innovations, we test where the policy impact is highest. While the privately motivated R&D expenditures are significant for both types of innovation, the policy-induced part is significant only for radical innovation. Furthermore, given that the funding agency encourages collaboration, and particularly industry-science collaboration, we further test whether effects are enhanced in collaborating firms. We do not find any evidence pointing to increased effects for the latter. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.