Effect of Research and Development on Firm Performance in the Iranian Manufacturing Industries: A Structure – Conduct Performance Approach

This study examines the effect of R&D on firm performance in Iranian manufacturing industries at 4 digit ISIC codes level in 2007, using a data set consisting 132 industries. While this study is based on the ‘Structure-Conduct-Performance’ (SCP approach), for empirical investigation the simultaneous equations system is used. The four equations which have been used in the study are: ‘concentration’, ‘advertisement’, ‘research and development’ and ‘profitability’. Three stage least squares method (3SLS) has been applied for model estimation. The results show that the incumbents in industries with high level of profitability have less incentive to engage in R&D activities. The results also show that industrial concentration has a positive significant effect on profitability.