Definition: Intangible investment

Category: R & D - Oslo Manual

Intangible investment covers all current expenditure for the firm's development, which is expected to give a return over a longer period than the year in which it is incurred.  There is no standard definition, but it is generally taken to cover expenditure on non-routine marketing, training, software and some other similar items, in addition to current expenditure on R&D.  It covers current expenditure on TPP innovation but also comprises elements which are not part of TPP current innovation expenditure (for example it includes all of the firm's training and marketing expenditure in general, not simply training or marketing in connection with the introduction of technologically new products and processes).  It does not cover tangible investment such as capital TPP innovation expenditure, which includes capital expenditure on R&D, acquisition of new machinery and equipment related to TPP innovations.