• Journal of Technology Innovation
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.225-260
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• 2014

In this paper, we present a literature review of the mechanisms and methodology for technology spillover, in order to provide a theoretical and practical foundation for estimating the technology spillover effect of public funded R&D programs. Our research consists of four parts. First, we investigate what technology spillover is and how it works. Second, we review the methodology used to empirically measure technology spillover, with a view to understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Third, we identify the gap between the spillover phenomenon and its estimated results, caused by the limitations of the methodology, and discuss the challenges in measuring technology spillover. Finally, we present several considerations to improve the measurement of technology spillover in the context of public funded R&D programs. Our paper provides policy makers and researchers with basic knowledge about technology spillover and helps them suitably evaluate the results obtained from the literature review. In addition, it contributes towards improving the existing methodology by recognizing the gap between the spillover phenomenon and the methodology.