Business research and development (R&D) refers to the analysis and improvement of products, services and processes that a company must continuously undergo in order to stay competitive. Pharmaceutical and technology companies in particular conduct a high level of business R&D due to the constantly-evolving nature of their industries. Companies that don’t invest in business R&D risk losing their competitive positions in the marketplace, as well as potential new revenue streams from alternate applications for their products and services.

Technology companies often assign the research portion of their business R&D to a technology advisor or researcher within the company, whose responsibility is to monitor competitive technologies and their position in the marketplace. The development side of business R&D is often outsourced, as companies require outside expertise in the new applications for which their technology is being adapted. For example, a company that manufactures body scanners used in the apparel industry might outsource an expert in the deployment of scanning technology in other sectors, such as security or health and fitness. Pharmaceutical companies typically turn to universities for their research needs and outsource private companies during the development phase, which must be carried out according to their country’s drug safety regulations.

由国外的解释来看, BUSINESS R&D 多半是指公司的研发投入, 在美国的统计资料里, 若楼主手上的资料是整个美国的BUSINESS R&D 投入数据, 才会等价于我国的企业研发投入, (这个数据分类多半是以集团公司, 或行业来作统计, 但我知道有些州也会做类似的统计, 至于全美的数据统计, 这块我还没留意过呢!)

very clear , thanks~