Outsourcing R&D: It's Not Just for Manufacturing Anymore

In a major signal that the United States is losing - indeed, may have already lost - the science race, the NY Times reports today on a Kauffman Foundation report stating "that emerging countries such as China and India will continue to be major beneficiaries of R&D expansion over the next three years as companies seek new market opportunities, access to top scientists and engineers, and collaborative research relationships with leading universities." The Kauffman Foundation website directly contradicts reports by major media organizations such as the NY Times and Wall Street Journal saying, "In neither emerging nor developed countries was cost consideration the most important factor, which runs contrary to what has been reported by the media." Major non-cost factors that are pushing commercial R&D offshore are "legal wrangling over intellectual property rights" with American universities and U.S. immigration restrictions, which are making it difficult for U.S. universities and companies to attract and retain the best and brightest researchers.