Microeconomics of technology adoption

Arbeitspapier

There is an emerging consensus among macro-economists that differences in technology across countries account for the major differences in per-capita GDP and the wages of workers with similar skills across countries. Accounting for differences in technology levels across countries thus can go a long way towards understanding global inequality. One mechanism by which poorer countries can catch up with richer countries is through technological diffusion, the adoption by low-income countries of the advanced technologies produced in high-income countries. In this survey, we examine recent micro studies that focus on understanding the adoption process. If technological diffusion is a major channel by which poor countries can develop, it must be the case that technology adoption is incomplete or the inputs associated with the technologies are under-utilized in poor, or slow-growing economies. Thus, obtaining a better understanding of the constraints on adoption is useful in understanding a major component of growth.

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• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Center Discussion Paper ; No. 984

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Economic Development: General ; Economic Development: Agriculture; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Other Primary Products ; Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
• Subject: technology adoption review ; Mikroökonomik ; Technologietransfer ; Lernprozess ; Entwicklungsländer

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Foster, Andrew D. ; Rosenzweig, Mark R.
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Yale University, Economic Growth Center
• (where): New Haven, CT
• (when): 2010

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/59155