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Finance, Technology and Inequality in Economic Development

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  • Ryo Horii

    (Osaka University)

  • Ryoji Ohdoi

    (Osaka University)

  • Kazuhiro Yamamoto

    (Osaka University)

Abstract

This paper presents an overlapping generations model with technology choice and credit market imperfections, in order to investigate a possible source of underdevelopment. The model shows that a better financial infrastructure that provides stronger enforcement of contracts facilitates the development of financial markets, which, in turn, enables firms to switch to more productive and capital-intensive technologies, thereby promoting economic development. In the presence of credit rationing, however, this technological switch widens inequality. Therefore, risk-averse agents would not be willing to improve the financial infrastructure to the level at which the technological switch occurs, resulting in a development trap. A remedy is to facilitate small firms' adoption of the currently used technology rather than the new one.

Suggested Citation

  • Ryo Horii & Ryoji Ohdoi & Kazuhiro Yamamoto, 2005. "Finance, Technology and Inequality in Economic Development," Development and Comp Systems 0504004, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 31 Jul 2005.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpdc:0504004
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    Cited by:

    1. Radhika Lahiri & Shyama Ratnasiri, 2007. "Concerning Inequality, Technology Adoption, and Structural Change," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 13(4), pages 527-528, November.
    2. Tamir Agmon & Avi Messica, 2009. "Financial Foreign Direct Investment: The Role of Private Equity Investments in the Globalization of Firms from Emerging Markets," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 49(1), pages 11-26, February.
    3. Radhika Lahiri & Shyama Ratnasiri, 2007. "Concerning Technology Adoption and Inequality," School of Economics and Finance Discussion Papers and Working Papers Series 215, School of Economics and Finance, Queensland University of Technology.
    4. Kerstin Gerling, 2008. "The Real Consequences of Financial Market Integration when Countries Are Heterogeneous," Working Papers 141, Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austrian Central Bank).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Enforcement; Technological Switch; Income Distribution; Credit Rationing; Institutions.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance

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