Whether diversity or specialization of economic activity better promotes technological change and subsequent economic growth has been the subject of a heated debate in the economics literature. The purpose of this paper is to consider the effect of the composition of economic activity on innovation. We test whether the specialization of economic activity within a narrow concentrated set of economic activities is more conducive to knowledge spillovers or if diversity, by bringing together complementary activities, better promotes innovation. The evidence provides considerable support for the diversity thesis but little support for the specialization thesis.
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Paper provided by C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers in its series CEPR Discussion Papers with number
1980.
Find related papers by JEL classification: O1 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development O3 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Technological Change
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