Glossary:Boundaries of R & D

To determine whether or not a particular activity falls within or outside the boundaries of R & D, the following criteria are used:

• if the primary objective is to make further technical improvements on the product or process, then the work comes within the definition of research and development (R & D);
• if, on the other hand, the product, process or approach is substantially set and the primary objective is to develop markets, to do pre-production planning or to get a production or control system working smoothly, the work is no longer considered to be R & D.

Further information

• Science, technology and innovation (methodology)

Related concepts

• Research and development (R & D)

Statistical data

• Research and development statistics at regional level

Source

• Main definitions and conventions for the measurement of Research and Experimental Development (R&D), A summary of the Frascati Manual 2002 (Publication, OECD, Paris, 2002)