"The positive correlation between sustained high R&D intensity and company performance is a powerful argument for a company to ensure its R&D investments stand comparison with its best international competitors."

This advice comes from "The 2001 R&D Scoreboard," produced annually by the United Kingdom Dept. of Trade & Industry's Future and Innovation Unit in partnership with Company Reporting Ltd.

Last year's "2000 Scoreboard" revealed a positive link between company performance measures and R&D for UK and U.S. companies. Specifically, it showed:

* Sales growth: 40 percent over four years was 75 percent more likely for high-compared to low-R&D intensity companies.

* Productivity: Generally in high-R&D intensity sectors, sales per employee at least doubled between the high and low spenders measured by R&D per employee.

* Market value: Over five years to July 1999, a portfolio of high-R&D intensity companies grew in market value at twice that of the FTSE.

Value Added

In 2001, data were acquired for value-added and value-added per employee for the larger UK and continental European companies. …