German firms favour US for R&D

The United States is the most common location for international innovation spending by German companies, according to a Stifterverband survey.

The survey by the association of German research funders found that 40 per cent of German innovation spending outside Germany is done in the US. Austria and Switzerland come a distant second, receiving 11 per cent each. China and India receive 5 and 4 per cent respectively, but their proportion is growing fast.

Businesses surveyed said the US was an important market and that they were keen on accessing local knowledge and expertise through collaboration. Innovation spending in eastern Europe, on the other hand, was driven by low salaries.