Losing the Edge at the Final Frontier: A Relative Decline in Scientific Inputs and its Consequences

Atin Basu Choudhary, Virginia Military Institute
Michael Reksulak, Georgia Southern University

Abstract

This paper proposes a model of scientific output utilizing a Cobb-Douglas production function. We employ a newly available panel dataset to analyze patterns of investment in research across countries and their consequences for research leadership. Results suggest some evidence that the demographic mix of a country may matter more than previously thought in determining scientific output relative to R&D spending and the existing stock of scientific output.