Journal of Information & Systems Management Ngobum Chinwengozi Ibe (Mrs) 16 3 2026 https://doi.org/10.6025/jism/2026/16/3/126-156 https://www.dline.info/jism/fulltext/v16n3/jismv16n3_3.pdf This study examines the convergence, persistence, catch up dynamics, and heterogeneous trajectories of R&D researcher capacity across OECD and selected partner economies during 2015-2023. Using an integrated analytical framework combining  convergence, absolute  convergence, the Phillips Sul log-t test, Markov transition analysis, trajectory clustering, compound annual growth rate (CAGR) analysis, and a growth level typology, the study investigates whether national researcher stocks move toward a common long run equilibrium or instead follow differentiated development paths. The results decisively reject universal convergence: cross country dispersion did not decline systematically, the  -convergence coefficient was statistically insignificant ( = +0.000599, p = 0.867), and the Phillips Sul test rejected overall convergence (t = -22.002). Markov transition analysis revealed strong structural persistence, with probabilities of remaining in the same capacity state ranging from 74.4% to 94.1%. Nevertheless, the study identified selective catch up: Poland, Türkiye, Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia showed rapid researcher capacity growth and formed a statistically distinct trajectory cluster. The growth level typology classified countries into four regimes: strategic leaders, mature leaders, catch up economies, and persistent laggards. The study concludes that R&D researcher capacity constitutes a multi regime system characterized by simultaneous persistence, selective catch up, and multiple trajectories rather than a single convergence process. These findings carry significant implications for differentiated science, technology, and innovation policy design.