Return On Research Capital - RORC

A calculation used to assess the revenue a company brings in as a result of expenditures made on research and development activities. Return on research capital (RORC) is a component of productivity and growth, since research and development (R&D) is one of the ways in which companies develop new products and services for sale. This metric is commonly used in industries that rely heavily on R&D such as the pharmaceutical industry.

Companies face an opportunity cost when examining the use of their funds. They can spend money on tangible assets, real estate or capital improvements, or they can invest in R&D. Investments made in research may take a number of years before tangible results are seen, and the return typically varies between industries and even within sectors of a particular industry.