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Specialization, Diversification, and Environmental Technology Life Cycle

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  • Nicoló Barbieri
  • François Perruchas
  • Davide Consoli

Abstract

The article analyzes whether and to what extent regional related and unrelated variety matter for the development of green technology, and whether their influence differs over the technology life cycle. Using patent and socioeconomic data on a thirty-year (1980–2009) panel of US states, we find that unrelated variety is a positive predictor of green innovative activities. When unpacked over the life cycle, unrelated variety is the main driver of green technology development in the early stages, while related variety becomes more prominent as the technology enters into maturity.

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  • Nicoló Barbieri & François Perruchas & Davide Consoli, 2020. "Specialization, Diversification, and Environmental Technology Life Cycle," Economic Geography, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 96(2), pages 161-186, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:recgxx:v:96:y:2020:i:2:p:161-186
    DOI: 10.1080/00130095.2020.1721279
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    JEL classification:

    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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