Technology access and research prolificacy: an econometric analysis

Modern information and communication technologies enable research collaborations that were notconceivable a mere decade ago. Moreover, the diffusion of extant technologies (such as broadband, andcellular communication devices) more fully in both developing and developed nations has afforded morepeople access to key communications technologies, creating ever increasing networks and communitiesof researchers and collaborators. The current study seeks to more fully explicate the relationship betweentechnology access, diffusion and research output. The study shall consider the impact of telecommunicationstele-density, Broadband penetration, Computer access and ICT investment on research output andpatent submissions. Both static and dynamic estimations are conducted, employing the Arellano & Boversystems estimator method. The findings suggest that telecommunications tele-density and ICT investmentare key determinants of academic research output. They are however not significant determinants ofpatent submissions. These findings are robust for both static and dynamic estimations.