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R&D Competition when firms Choose Variance

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  • Luís M. B. Cabral

Abstract

I consider an infinite‐period race where players choose between low‐ and high‐variance motion technologies. I provide sufficient conditions under which, in equilibrium, the leader chooses a safe technology and the laggard a risky one, thus formalizing the sports intuition that the laggard has nothing to lose. Various examples and empirical implications are presented.

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  • Luís M. B. Cabral, 2003. "R&D Competition when firms Choose Variance," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 12(1), pages 139-150, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jemstr:v:12:y:2003:i:1:p:139-150
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1430-9134.2003.00139.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richard J. Rosen, 1991. "Research and Development with Asymmetric Firm Sizes," RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 22(3), pages 411-429, Autumn.
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    7. Jay Pil Choi, 1994. "Irreversible Choice of Uncertain Technologies with Network Externalities," RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 25(3), pages 382-401, Autumn.
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