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Endogenous Technological Change under Uncertainty

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  • Paul A. de Hek

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

Abstract

How does risk or uncertainty in the productivity of research affect the growth rate of the economy? To answer this question, a model of endogenous technological change is used where sustained growth stems from intentional investments in R&D from profit-maximizing firms. The uncertainty arises from the productivity of these investments in R&D. The main result of this analysis is that the relationship between long-run growth and uncertainty (on the productivity of knowledge creation) depends on two main factors - the returns to scale in knowledge creation (increasing or non-increasing) and the value of the elasticity of intertemporal substitution (higher or lower than some critical value).Based on empirical studies on the returns to scale in knowledge creation ("non-increasing") and the value of the elasticity of intertemporal substitution ("higher than the critical value"), we expect a negative relationship between long-run growth and uncertainty regarding the productivity of knowledge creation.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul A. de Hek, 2002. "Endogenous Technological Change under Uncertainty," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 02-047/2, Tinbergen Institute, revised 08 Nov 2002.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20020047
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    1. Amber Fatima & Abdul Waheed, 2014. "Economic uncertainty and growth performance: a macroeconomic modeling analysis for Pakistan," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 48(3), pages 1361-1387, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Long-run growth; Technological change; Uncertainty.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights

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