“…The effects of R&D spending on productivity are due to innovation and its incorporation into the production process (Griliches, 1979;Khan, Salim, Bloch, & Islam, 2017;Mairesse & Robin, 2009;Medda & Piga, 2014;Parisi, Schiantarelli, & Sembenelli, 2006;Wakelin, 2001;Zhang et al, 2011). On the other hand, other studies indicate that gains in productivity and, as a consequence, increases in global competitiveness are not solely related to the efforts made to innovate (Carvalho & Avellar, 2013;Cavalcante & de Negri, 2014;Goedhuys, 2007;Rogers, 2006;Steingraber, 2009). Other factors have also been identified to explain this relationship, such as organizational change, personnel development, cooperation, and the acquisition of machines and equipment, among others.…”