Innovation in New Brunswick

Abstract

This report is part of a research project on the linkages between innovation and productivity in New Brunswick, prepared for the Atlantic Institute for Policy Research at the University of New Brunswick. This report examines the innovation situation in New Brunswick by analyzing the levels and trends of seven indicators of innovation: R&D spending, R&D personnel, patents, firm-based innovation statistics, non-residential fixed investment, investment in intellectual property products, and business entry. This report finds that New Brunswick’s state of innovation was weak compared to the other provinces, but has improved over time. New Brunswick ranked below the national average for all seven innovation indicators, with especially poor results for business R&D spending and personnel, patents, and firm-level innovation. However, New Brunswick enjoyed an absolute and relative improvement in five of seven indicators: R&D spending, R&D personnel, patents, firm-based innovation statistics, and investment in intellectual property products. Results for only two indicators—non-residential fixed capital investment and number of active businesses—deteriorated.

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