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Technology Adoption, Capital Maintenance and the Technological Gap

Author

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  • Raouf BOUCEKKINE

    (UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES))

  • Blanca MARTINEZ

    (UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES))

  • Cagri SAGLAM

    (UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES))

Abstract

In this paper, we study the properties of optimal growth models à la Nelson and Phelps (1966) where the labor resources of an economy can be allocated freely either to production, technology adoption or capital maintenance. We first characterize the balanced growth paths of a benchmark model without maintenance services. Then we introduce te maintenance activity via the depreciation rate of capital. We characterize the optimal allocation of labor across the three activities. We prove that when technolgical shocks occur, equilibrium maintenance and adoption operate in opposite directions. The main prediction of the model is that though capital maintenance deepens the technological gap by diverting labor resources from adoption, it generally increases the long run output level at equilibrium

Suggested Citation

  • Raouf BOUCEKKINE & Blanca MARTINEZ & Cagri SAGLAM, 2001. "Technology Adoption, Capital Maintenance and the Technological Gap," Discussion Papers (IRES - Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales) 2001033, Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES).
    • Handle: RePEc:ctl:louvir:2001033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tiffen, Mary & Mortimore, Michael, 1994. "Malthus controverted: The role of capital and technology in growth and environment recovery in Kenya," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 22(7), pages 997-1010, July.
    2. David, Paul A, 1990. "The Dynamo and the Computer: An Historical Perspective on the Modern Productivity Paradox," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 80(2), pages 355-361, May.
    3. James A. Schmitz & Ellen R. McGrattan, 1999. "Maintenance and repair: too big to ignore," Quarterly Review, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, issue fall, pages 2-13.
    4. Feldstein, Martin S & Rothschild, Michael, 1974. "Towards an Economic Theory of Replacement Investment," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 42(3), pages 393-423, May.
    5. Blomstrom, Magnus & Kokko, Ari, 1998. " Multinational Corporations and Spillovers," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 12(3), pages 247-277, July.
    6. Vishwasrao, Sharmila & Bosshardt, William, 2001. "Foreign ownership and technology adoption: evidence from Indian firms," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 65(2), pages 367-387, August.
    7. Omar Licandro & Luis A. Puch, 2000. "Capital Utilization, Maintenance Costs and the Business Cycle," Annals of Economics and Statistics, GENES, issue 58, pages 143-164.
    8. Nickell, Stephen, 1975. "A closer look at replacement investment," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 10(1), pages 54-88, February.
    9. Kokko, Ari, 1994. "Technology, market characteristics, and spillovers," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 43(2), pages 279-293, April.
    10. Parente, Stephen L & Prescott, Edward C, 1994. "Barriers to Technology Adoption and Development," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 102(2), pages 298-321, April.
    11. Teoman Pamukçu & Michele Cincera, 2001. "Analyse des déterminants de l'innovation technologique dans un Nouveau Pays Industrialisé : une étude économétrique sur données d'entreprises dans le secteur manufacturier turc," Économie et Prévision, Programme National Persée, vol. 150(4), pages 139-158.
    12. repec:adr:anecst:y:2000:i:58:p:05 is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Collard, Fabrice & Kollintzas, Tryphon, 2000. "Maintenance, Utilization, and Depreciation along the Business Cycle," CEPR Discussion Papers 2477, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    14. Richard R. Nelson & Edmond S. Phelps, 1965. "Investment in Humans, Technological Diffusion and Economic Growth," Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers 189, Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University.
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    Cited by:

    1. Raouf, BOUCEKKINE & Blanca, MARTINEZ & Cagri, SAGLAM, 2006. "Capital Maintenance Vs Technology Adopton under Embodied Technical Progress," Discussion Papers (ECON - Département des Sciences Economiques) 2006030, Université catholique de Louvain, Département des Sciences Economiques.
    2. Blanca MARTINEZ, 2002. "Technological convergence and the connections between adoption, maintenance and investment activities," Discussion Papers (IRES - Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales) 2002025, Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES).
    3. Raouf Boucekkine & Blanca Martínez & Cagri Saglam, 2006. "The Development Problem under Embodiment," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 10(1), pages 42-58, February.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Technology adoption; Capital maintenance; Technological gap; Long run output level;

    JEL classification:

    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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