The technology infrastructure of firms: Investments in infratechnology

Few technologies can be successfully commercialized and achieve market penetration without the availability and use of a critical technology infrastructure. Estimates of manufacturing firms´ expenditures on internal investments in one class of technology infrastructure, namely, infratechnology, are presented. The relationship between such investments and industry productivity growth is examined. Emphasis is placed on the need for additional inquiry into a fuller understanding of the research and development process and the interactions between proprietary and infrastructure research activities