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A Theory of Innovation and Its Effects

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  • Lester G. Telser

Abstract

The theory of optimal sequential search is used to study an industry where firms make homogeneous products and seek lower costs of production. Research outlays correspond to the cost of search. The research results are regarded as drawings from a probability distribution that depends on the research outlays. Eventually, the production costs are so low, continuing the research no longer pays, the research era ends, and the mature era begins. Sequential research results in a cost level at the end of the research era and beginning of the mature era that is lower, the smaller the number of firms then in the industry. Firm market share and rate of return are positively related. The firm with the largest share during the research era retains its lead throughout, and its share tends to fall at a rate that is slower, the larger its share initially.

Suggested Citation

  • Lester G. Telser, 1982. "A Theory of Innovation and Its Effects," Bell Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 13(1), pages 69-92, Spring.
    • Handle: RePEc:rje:bellje:v:13:y:1982:i:spring:p:69-92
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Pakes, Ariel S, 1986. "Patents as Options: Some Estimates of the Value of Holding European Patent Stocks," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 54(4), pages 755-784, July.
    2. Pakes, Ariel, 1985. "On Patents, R&D, and the Stock Market Rate of Return," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 93(2), pages 390-409, April.
    3. Berninghaus, Siegfried & Völker, Rainer, 1986. "Optimale Innovationspolitik bei unvollkommener Information," Discussion Papers, Series I 226, University of Konstanz, Department of Economics.
    4. Schmalensee, Richard., 1985. "Testing the differential efficiency hypothesis," Working papers 1628-85., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sloan School of Management.
    5. Edward P. Lazear, 1983. "Raids and Imitation," NBER Working Papers 1158, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    6. Sherwin Rosen, 1984. "The Distribution of Prizes in a Match-Play Tournament with Single Eliminations," NBER Working Papers 1516, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Leonard Cheng, 1984. "International trade and technology: A brief survey of the recent literature," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 120(1), pages 165-189, March.
    8. Philip Auerswald, 2008. "Entrepreneurship in the Theory of the Firm," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 30(2), pages 111-126, February.
    9. Ramser, Hans Jürgen, 1985. "Schumpetersche Konzepte in der Analyse des technischen Wandels," Discussion Papers, Series I 203, University of Konstanz, Department of Economics.
    10. Paroma Sanyal, 2005. "Peanut Butter Patents Versus the New Economy: Does the Increased Rate of Patenting Signal More Invention or Just Lower Standards?," Industrial Organization 0504013, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Shirish D. Chikte & Sudhakar D. Deshmukh, 1993. "To be The First or to be The Best: New Product Quality and Timing in R&D Competition," Discussion Papers 1056, Northwestern University, Center for Mathematical Studies in Economics and Management Science.
    12. Berninghaus, Siegfried & Völker, Rainer, 1987. "Wechselwirkungen zwischen Marktstruktur und Innovation - Innovationskonkurrenz als stochastisches Spiel," Discussion Papers, Series I 229, University of Konstanz, Department of Economics.

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