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Technology Strategy In A Regulation‐Driven Market: Lessons From The Us Superfund Program

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  • Andrew J. Hoffman

Abstract

Estimates by the US Office of Technology Assessment of the costs to clean up the 1246 EPA National Priority List sites stand at more than $500 billion over the next 50 years. This cost estimate is based on existing technologies which are neither as technically advanced nor economically efficient as is necessary to realistically complete the job. However, despite the potential profits for remediation technology vendors, new and innovative technologies are not entering the market as rapidly as is needed. This is the result of major flaws in the US regulatory program, the Superfund, for dealing with the issue. Using neoclassical economic theories of technological change, the two primary obstacles to remediation technology research are identified: appropriability and market uncertainty. The conclusions reached offer valuable lessons for US policy‐makers in revamping the present system. These lessons can also be applied to policy‐makers in other countries as an example of how government intervention in the market can be not only inefficient, but also a hindrance for technological development.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew J. Hoffman, 1996. "Technology Strategy In A Regulation‐Driven Market: Lessons From The Us Superfund Program," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(1), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:5:y:1996:i:1:p:1-11
    DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-0836(199603)5:13.0.CO;2-C
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Reinganum, Jennifer F, 1983. "Uncertain Innovation and the Persistence of Monopoly," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 73(4), pages 741-748, September.
    2. David J. TEECE, 2008. "Profiting from technological innovation: Implications for integration, collaboration, licensing and public policy," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: The Transfer And Licensing Of Know-How And Intellectual Property Understanding the Multinational Enterprise in the Modern World, chapter 5, pages 67-87, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    3. Kenneth Arrow, 1962. "Economic Welfare and the Allocation of Resources for Invention," NBER Chapters, in: The Rate and Direction of Inventive Activity: Economic and Social Factors, pages 609-626, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    Cited by:

    1. David Skidmore, 1997. "Encouraging sustainable business practice through managing policies and instruments dynamically," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 6(3), pages 163-167, July.

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