The impact of policy toward R&D and innovation on nuclear technology in Malaysia

Abstract

Nuclear science and technology for peaceful uses successfully progressed in various areas such as industry, medicine and healthcare, food and agriculture, natural resources, energy, and nuclear safety and security, through research and development and innovation (RDI). Realizing the importance of RDI in nuclear technology as the driving force in addressing societal challenges, most countries, including Malaysia, are developing new policies to promote R&D and innovation in nuclear technology. This paper assesses the impact of the policy on the performance of R&D and innovation in nuclear technology in Malaysia from 2011-2021 using the data envelopment analysis (DEA) and Malmquist index (MI) analysis. The study used two inputs, namely RDC & Development budget (RM Million) and Operating budget (RM Million), and three outputs, namely revenue (RM Million), no. of R&D products and no. of publications. The result shows that the performance of R&D and innovation in nuclear technology is 96.70 per cent from 2011-2021. The study shows that the growth of R&D and innovation in nuclear technology decreased by 8.3 per cent for the entire study period. The technological changes decreased at 8.3 per cent, while the efficiency changes remain. The study also found that nuclear technology growth is mainly affected by technological changes due to policy changes compare to the resources provided since efficiency changes remain.