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Labor scarcity, technology adoption and innovation: evidence from the cholera pandemics in 19th century France

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  • Raphaël Franck

    (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
    CEPR
    CesIfo
    GLO)

Abstract

To analyze the impact of labor scarcity on technology adoption and innovation, this study uses the differential spread of cholera across France in 1832, 1849 and 1854, before the transmission mode of this disease was understood. The results suggest that a larger share of cholera deaths in the population, which can be causally linked to summer temperature levels, had a positive and significant short-run effect on technology adoption and innovation in agriculture but a negative and significant short-run impact on technology adoption in industry. These results can be explained by the positive impact of labor scarcity on human capital formation.

Suggested Citation

  • Raphaël Franck, 2024. "Labor scarcity, technology adoption and innovation: evidence from the cholera pandemics in 19th century France," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 29(4), pages 543-583, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jecgro:v:29:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s10887-024-09241-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10887-024-09241-3
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Epidemics; Labor scarcity; Technology adoption; Technology-skill complementarity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • N13 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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