International Science and Technology Cooperation Strategies, Policies, and Pathways of Major OECD Members – European Union, Usa, Uk, and Japan
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
In the modern multipolar world economic order, traditionally leading economies (specifically the key members of OECD) need to redesign their strategies for international R&D collaboration schemes. The paper examines current trends in these countries and assesses the effectiveness of their previous strategies, along with their latest modifications. The research for this article, conducted through a systematic literature review, entails a comparative, descriptive analysis of relevant secondary data.
The authors analyse the previous positioning of these countries in the global R&D ecosystem and how it has changed in the current context. They then explore these countries’ international R&D collaboration
Article Details
Issue
Section
I hereby assign to the Association of South Eastern Europe Economic Universities (ASECU) the copyright in the article present and future. In particular, this provides ASECU with the exclusive right to reproduce and/or distribute the article (including the abstract) throughout the world in printed, electronic or any other medium now known and hereinafter invented, and in turn to authorize third parties to do the same. Furthermore, I agree that ASECU may publish the article in the above journal, and sell or distribute it within the journal, on its own, or with other related material. These rights are assigned for the full legal term of copyright.
If the said article has been written in the course of my employment, and with the express authority of my employers, I hereby assign to ASECU the copyright in the article present and future. In particular, this provides ASECU with the exclusive right to reproduce and/or distribute the article (including the abstract) throughout the world in printed, electronic or any other medium now known and hereinafter invented, and in turn to authorize third parties to do the same. Furthermore, I agree that ASECU may publish the article in the above journal and sell or distribute it within the journal, on its own, or with other related material. These rights are assigned for the full legal term of copyright.
Notes on Dissemination and Reprints: Licensing of publication rights to one central organization will ensure the widest possible dissemination of the work. It will allow requests by third parties to be handled efficiently and consistently. All requests to reprint the work, in part or full, will be subject to your approval (which we will assume is given if we have not heard from you within four weeks of your approval being sought).
References
Anagnostopoulou, S. C., & Levis, M. (2008). R&D and Performance Persistence: Evidence from the United Kingdom. The International Journal of Accounting, 43(3), 293–320.
Arimoto, T. (2024). The transformation of science, technology and innovation (STI) policy in Japan. Asia Pacific Business Review, 30(3), 485–498.
Brent, T. (2023). Schisms in research collaboration risk worsening global crises, OECD says. Science Business.
British Council. (2023, July 17). US-India technology ties continue to deepen. Opportunities and Insight.
Brooke-Holland, L., Curtis, J., Mills, C., & Garraway, A. (2021, October 11). The AUKUS Agreement. House of Commons Library.
Carraz, R., & Harayama, Y. (2019). Japan’s innovation systems at the crossroads: Society 5.0. In C. Echle, K. Naumann, & M. Sarmah (Eds.), Panorama: Insights into Asian and European affairs (pp. 45-56). Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. (2024, February 9). UK Science and Technology Framework. GOV.UK.
Edgerton, D. (2007). The Shock of the Old: Technology and Global History since 1900. Oxford University Press.
EURAXESS. (2025, July 30). Korea joins Horizon Europe.
European American Chamber of Commerce New York. (2023, March 20). OECD: Changing geopolitical environment reshapes science, technology and innovation policy, says OECD.
European Commission. (2026, February 6). EU and India launch talks on Horizon Europe association.
European Commission. (n.d.). Bilateral cooperation: Science and technology agreements with non-EU countries. Retrieved March 10, 2026, from https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/strategy/strategy-research-and-innovation/europe-world/international-cooperation/bilateral-cooperation-science-and-technology-agreements-non-eu-countries_en
European Commission. (n.d.). EU-Latin America and Caribbean Digital Alliance. Retrieved March 10, 2026, from https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/global-gateway/eu-latin-america-and-caribbean-digital-alliance_en
European Commission. (n.d.). Horizon Europe.
European Commission. (n.d.). International cooperation with the United Kingdom in research and innovation: Association to Horizon Europe. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
European Commission. (n.d.). Korea: Policy background, funding opportunities, agreements and arrangements, projects and results and contact. Retrieved March 10, 2026, from https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/strategy/strategy-research-and-innovation/europe-world/international-cooperation/association-horizon-europe/korea_en
European Commission. (n.d.). United States: Policy background, funding opportunities, agreements and arrangements, projects and results and contact. Retrieved March 10, 2026, from https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/strategy/strategy-research-and-innovation/europe-world/international-cooperation//bilateral-cooperation-science-and-technology-agreements-non-eu-countries/united-states_en
Eurostat. (2025, November). R&D expenditure. Statistics Explained.
Federal Ministry of Education and Research. (2019). The high-tech strategy 2025 progress report.
Flink, T., & Schreiterer, U. (2010). Science diplomacy at the intersection of S&T policies and foreign affairs. Science and Public Policy, 37(9), 665–677.
Florida, R. (1997). The globalization of R&D: Results of a survey of foreign-affiliated R&D laboratories in the USA. Research Policy, 26(1), 85–103.
Gui, Q., Liu, C., & Du, D. (2019). Globalization of science and international scientific collaboration: A network perspective. Geoforum, 105, 1–12.
Hall, B. H., Mairesse, J., & Mohnen, P. (2009, December 10). Measuring the returns to R&D. In B. H. Hall & N. Rosenberg (Eds.), Handbook of the Economics of Innovation.
Hladchenko, M. (2026). Evolving scientific collaboration among EU member states, candidate countries and global partners: 2000-2024. arXiv.
Holroyd, C. (2008). Reinventing Japan Inc.: Twenty-first century innovation strategies in Japan. Prometheus, 26(1), 21–38.
International Energy Agency. (2024, January 30). “France 2030” investment plan.
Japan Science and Technology Agency. (n.d.). SATREPS: Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development. Retrieved March 10, 2026, from https://www.jst.go.jp/global/english/index.html
Korea‑EU Research Centre. (2024, March). Korea concludes negotiations for Horizon Europe association.
Lawless, J. (2023, September 7). The UK is rejoining the European Union’s science research program as post-Brexit relations thaw. AP News.
Mattoo, S. (2023, February 7). iCET has potential to take US-India ties to next level, Arun Singh. Mint.
Medvec, s. E. (2009). The European Union and expansion to the east: aspects of accession, problems, and prospects for the future. International Social Science Review, 84(1/2), 66–83. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41887390
National Security and Investment Act 2021, c. 25.
OECD. (2016). OECD Science, Technology and Innovation Outlook 2016.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2023, March 16). OECD science, technology and innovation outlook 2023: Enabling transitions in times of disruption.
Pak, S.-Ch. (2024). New era of U.S. and the EU protectionism: How will it affect East Asia? International Organisations Research Journal, 19(2), 21–55.
Presidência da República. (2026, February 24). “Now, we begin a renewed cycle of development and shared prosperity between Brazil and South Korea,” President Lula says in Seoul. Gov.br.
Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. (2021). Official Journal of the European Union, L 170, 1–68.
Sarpong, D., Boakye, D., Ofosu, G., & Botchie, D. (2023). The three pointers of research and development (R&D) for growth-boosting sustainable innovation system. Technovation, 122, Article 102581.
Scholes, G. D., Olaya-Castro, A., Mukamel, S., Kirrander, A., Ni, K.-K., Hedley, G., & Frank, N. (2024). NSF-UKRI bilateral workshop: Quantum information science in chemistry. arXiv.
Su, H.-N. (2017). Global interdependence of collaborative R&D-typology and association of international co-patenting. Sustainability, 9(4), Article 541.
Taylor, B. J., & Cantwell, B. (2016). Research universities and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Competition, resource concentration, and the ‘Great Recession’ in the United States. Higher Education Policy, 29, 199–217.
Ulferts, G. W., Cannon, N. J., & Howard, T. L. (2021). The changing landscape for funding research and development. Research in Higher Education Journal, 40.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). (2023). Technology and innovation report 2023: Opening green windows: Technological opportunities for a low-carbon world. United Nations.
Van Manen, H., Gehrke, T., Thompson, J., & Sweijs, C. T. (2021). Taming Techno-nationalism: a policy agenda. The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies. The Hague.
Veugelers, R. (2010). Towards a multipolar science world: Trends and impact. Scientometrics, 82(3), 439–456.