Information Technology and the Dynamics of Joint Innovation

Cowan, Robin and Jonard, Nicolas (2004). Information Technology and the Dynamics of Joint Innovation. UNU-MERIT Research Memoranda. UNU-MERIT.

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UNU-MERIT Research memoranda

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  • Sub-type Working paper
    Author Cowan, Robin
    Jonard, Nicolas
    Title Information Technology and the Dynamics of Joint Innovation
    Series Title UNU-MERIT Research Memoranda
    Volume/Issue No. 14
    Publication Date 2004
    Publisher UNU-MERIT
    Language eng
    Abstract We develop a model of an innovative industry to examine how information technology, by both enhancing matching efficiency and knowledge sharing, can have an ambiguous effect on the total amount of innovation. We consider a population of firms holding different knowledge expertise, and forming partnerships to conduct joint R&D. We assume that bringing together different expertise has positive value for innovating but also that joint innovation implies a partial convergence of the partners' expertise. We study how the distribution of firms changes and thus how the innovative potential of the economy evolves. We show that as heterogeneity is used as an input by the innovative process, the industry must eventually collapse to a unique expertise, but how fast this takes place depends on the quality of IT. As a result of falling dispersion, a tension arises between static and dynamic efficiency.
    JEL C78
    O33
    O38
    Copyright Year 2004
    Copyright type All rights reserved
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    Created: Fri, 13 Dec 2013, 12:40:12 JST