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The Diffusion and Adoption of Advanced Technologies in Canada: An Overview of the Issues

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  • Andrew Sharpe

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of issues related to the diffusion and adoption of advanced technologies and business practices in Canada. It argues that while R&D is important, most Canadian firms do not perform R&D and their innovation and productivity performance depends primarily on the diffusion and adoption of technologies developed elsewhere. The paper reviews the academic literature on technological diffusion, summarizes evidence on diffusion in Canada, reviews relevant government and stakeholder documents, and identifies key knowledge gaps. It concludes that technology diffusion deserves greater attention in Canada's innovation and productivity policy agenda.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Sharpe, 2005. "The Diffusion and Adoption of Advanced Technologies in Canada: An Overview of the Issues," CSLS Research Reports 2005-05, Centre for the Study of Living Standards.
    • Handle: RePEc:sls:resrep:0505
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sabourin, David Baldwin, John R. Smith, David, 2003. "Impact of Advanced Technology Use on Firm Performance in the Canadian Food Processing Sector," Economic Analysis (EA) Research Paper Series 2003012e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies Branch.
    2. John R. Baldwin & David Sabourin, 2002. "Advanced technology use and firm performance in Canadian manufacturing in the 1990s," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 11(4), pages 761-789, August.
    3. Bronwyn H. Hall, 2004. "Innovation and Diffusion," NBER Working Papers 10212, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Frank M. Bass, 1969. "A New Product Growth for Model Consumer Durables," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 15(5), pages 215-227, January.
    5. Baldwin, John & Lin, Zhengxi, 2002. "Impediments to advanced technology adoption for Canadian manufacturers," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 1-18, January.
    6. Erik Brynjolfsson & Lorin M. Hitt, 2000. "Beyond Computation: Information Technology, Organizational Transformation and Business Performance," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 14(4), pages 23-48, Fall.
    7. Sabourin, David & Baldwin, John R., 1999. "Technology Adoption: A Comparison Between Canada and the United States," Analytical Studies Branch Research Paper Series 1998119e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies Branch.
    8. Baldwin, John R. Beckstead, Desmond Gellatly, Guy, 2005. "Canada's Investments in Science and Innovation: Is the Existing Concept of Research and Development Sufficient?," Economic Analysis (EA) Research Paper Series 2005032e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies Branch.
    9. Scherer, F M, 1992. "Schumpeter and Plausible Capitalism," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 30(3), pages 1416-1433, September.
    10. Sabourin, David & Baldwin, John R. & Diverty, Brent, 1995. "Technology Use and Industrial Transformation: Empirical Perspectives," Analytical Studies Branch Research Paper Series 1995075e, Statistics Canada, Analytical Studies Branch.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrew Sharpe, 2006. "Lessons for Canada from International Productivity Experience," CSLS Research Reports 2006-02, Centre for the Study of Living Standards.
    2. Centre for the Study of Living Standards, 2005. "What Explains the Canada-US ICT Investment Intensity Gap?," CSLS Research Reports 2005-06, Centre for the Study of Living Standards.
    3. Andrew Sharpe, 2005. "What Explains the Canada-US ICT Investment Gap?," International Productivity Monitor, Centre for the Study of Living Standards, vol. 11, pages 21-38, Fall.

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