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851-0627-00L 2 Credits DS D-GESS

Technological Change: Determinants, Impacts, Technology Policy

Technischer Fortschritt: Determinanten - Auswirkungen - Technologiepolitik

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Spyridon Arvanitis, Dr. Heinz Hollenstein
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:06:32

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
Levels
DS
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Technischer Fortschritt: Determinanten - Auswirkungen - Technologiepolitik
  • Wed 10:15-12:00 (HG F 26.5)
2 h weekly

Offered In