Do Pilot and Demonstration Projects Work?

Arbeitspapier

Pilot and demonstration (P&D) projects are commonly deployed to catalyze early adoption of technology, but are poorly understood in terms of mechanism and impact. We conceptually distinguish unique functions of pilots and demonstrations, then examine whether they accelerate green building adoption. To identify effects of P&Ds on adoption, we develop a difference-in-difference-in-differences strategy, exploiting variation in location, technologies, and timing of P&D projects. Results indicate a 12% increase in adoption rates within markets affected by P&D projects. Further analyses examine mechanisms driving this effect. Subsequent results suggest green building demonstration projects create learning externalities, proliferating technology diffusion under certain conditions.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: CESifo Working Paper ; No. 7252

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes ; Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation ; Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
• Subject: information spillovers ; peer effects ; social learning ; pilot and demonstration projects ; technology adoption ; diffusion ; policy evaluation ; green building

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Blackburn, Christopher J. ; Flowers, Mallory E. ; Matisoff, Daniel C. ; Moreno-Cruz, Juan
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo)
• (where): Munich
• (when): 2018

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/185450
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET