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Technological Change: Determinants, Impacts, Technology Policy
Technischer Fortschritt: Determinanten - Auswirkungen - Technologiepolitik
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 14:59:06
Abstract
This course is an introduction to the economics of innovation and new technology based on a microeconomic approach. The topics include a discussion of the factors determining the generation of innovations; the diffusion of technology; the impact of innovation on economic performance and employment; the rationale of technology policy. The course is based on empirical studies with Swiss firm data.
Objective
Basic knowledge on the economics of innovation and new technology at the level of the private enterprise illustrated on empirical studies based on Swiss firm data.
Content
This course is an introduction to the economics of innovation and new technology based on a microeconomic approach. The topics include a discussion of the factors determining the generation of innovations; the diffusion of new technology; the impact of innovation on economic performance and employment; the rationale of technology policy. The approach is mostly non-technical and is based on empirical studies with Swiss firm data.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Copies of the slides presented in the lecture are distributed to the participants of the course always at the beginning of a new topic.
Literature
Introduction: Mankiw, G.N. (1998): Principles of Economics, The Dryden Press, London (Chapter 24: ‚Production and Growth‘, 515-539). Innovation Indicators: Arvanitis, S. und H. Hollenstein (1999): Indikatoren der Innovationsleistung auf Unternehmensebene. Messkonzept und Resultate für die schweizerische Industrie, in: Schweizerischer Wissenschaftsrat (Hrsg.), Die technologischen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Schweizer Wirtschaft – Indikatoren, Bewertungen, Diskussion, Reihe „Fakten und Bewertungen“ 2/99, Bern, 1-26. Determinants of Innovation: Baldwin, W.L. and J.T. Scott (1987): Market Structure and Technological Change, Harwood Academic Publishers, London (Chapter 3: ‚Empirical Approaches and Findings‘, 63-113). Determinants of Diffusion: Geroski, P.A. (2000): Models of Technology Diffusion, Research Policy, 29(4-5), 587-602. Innovation and Economic Performance: Steil, B., Victor, D.G. and R.R. Nelson (eds.) (2002): Technological Innovation and Economic Performance, Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J. (particularly Chapter 1 „Introduction and Overview“, 3-22). Link, A.N. (1987): Technological Change and Productivity Growth, Harwood Academic Publishers, London. Technology Policy: Ergas, H. (1987): The Importance of Technology Policy, in: P. Dasgupta and P. Stoneman (Eds.), Economic Policy and Technological Performance, Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 51-96.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- end-of-semester examination
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Technischer Fortschritt: Determinanten - Auswirkungen - Technologiepolitik |
|
2 h weekly |