Knowledge and technology transfer - forms and agents in Bavaria

What role does knowledge and technology transfer play in Bavaria? Kurt A. Hafner, University of Heilbronn, presents descriptive evidence that investment in research and development and the related product and process innovations have a positive effect on productivity and regional economic growth. A swift knowledge and technology transfer creates a decisive regional competitive advantage. Bavaria has developed in recent decades into an important economic and innovation site in Germany: The annual growth rates of GDP in Bavaria are clearly above the German average, unemployment rates, together with Baden-Wuerttemberg, are the lowest in Germany and the standard of living, measured by per capita GDP, is the highest among the German territorial states. Whereas the average German R&D quota is ca. 2.5%, in Bavaria it is nearly 3% and is expected to rise to 3.6% in 2020.