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The Design of Order. Notes on Evolutionary Principles and the Dynamics of Innovation

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  • J. Stan Metcalfe

Abstract

[eng] No one doubts the central significance of the immense variety of innovations in the pro­cess of economic growth and development. Yet incorporating innovation with economic theory remains a taxing problem. Innovation is disruptive, it breaks established patterns of behaviour, it gives rise to unpredictable consequences. This paper explores the inno­vation process in an evolutionary model of industrial development in which we insist upon co-ordination of firm behaviours while denying the relevance of equilibrium as an organising concept. Co-ordination provides coherence but the process of development remains open-ended. Principles of evolutionary theory, Fisher's principle, allow us to track an evolving distribution of firms each with different cost levels and different rates of innovation. The consequences and sources of the creativity of firms is thus contingent in the particular way in which the activities of these firms are co-ordinated. [fre] Nul ne doute de la signification centrale de la variété immense des innovations dans le processus de croissance économique et de développement. Cependant, incorporer l'innovation dans la théorie économique reste un problème éprouvant. L'innovation est pertubatrice, elle rompt les modèles de comportement établis, elle donne lieu à des conséquences imprévisibles. Cet article explore le processus d'innovation à l'aide d'un modèle évolutionniste de développement industriel dans lequel on insiste sur la coordination des comportements d'entreprises, tout en déniant la pertinence de l'équilibre comme concept d'organisation. La coordina­tion fournit la cohérence mais le processus de développement reste sans point d'arrivée. Les principes de la théorie évolutionniste, le principe de Fisher, nous permet de suivre une distribution évolutive de firmes ayant chacune des niveaux de coût et des taux d'innovation différents. Les sources et conséquences de la créativité des firmes sont alors contingents à la manière particulière dont les acti­vités de ces firmes sont coordonnées.

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  • J. Stan Metcalfe, 1995. "The Design of Order. Notes on Evolutionary Principles and the Dynamics of Innovation," Revue Économique, Programme National Persée, vol. 46(6), pages 1561-1583.
    • Handle: RePEc:prs:reveco:reco_0035-2764_1995_num_46_6_409752
    DOI: 10.3406/reco.1995.409752
    Note: DOI:10.3406/reco.1995.409752
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. de Barcellos, Marcia Dutra & Pozzo, Daniele & Ferreira, Gabriela Cardozo & Lionello, Rafael Laitano, 2011. "The Dynamics of the Innovation System for Functional Foods in South Brazil," 2011 International European Forum, February 14-18, 2011, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria 122032, International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks.
    3. Lenihan, Helena, 2011. "Enterprise policy evaluation: Is there a 'new' way of doing it?," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 34(4), pages 323-332, November.
    4. Antonio D'Agata, 2010. "Endogenous Adaptive Dynamics In Pasinetti Model Of Structural Change," Metroeconomica, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 61(2), pages 333-363, May.

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