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Learning-by-Using and the Switch to Better Machines

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  • Stephen L. Parente

    (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign)

Abstract

In an attempt to account for the huge observed disparity in international incomes, several recent papers study models in the spirit of Solow (1960) where the adoptions of better technologies require investments in new equipment. This paper continues this line of research. It describes an economy in which firms install more productive machines and subsequent to these adoptions, learn how to use those machines. In contrast to these other papers, this one does not predict that firms always adopt the frontier technology whenever they switch technologies. In this model both the upper and lower supports of the distribution of operated technologies may differ between economies that differ in policy. Consequently, this model can generate larger differences in international incomes than these other models. These differences are still small relative to the data, however. (Copyright: Elsevier)

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen L. Parente, 2000. "Learning-by-Using and the Switch to Better Machines," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 3(4), pages 675-703, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:red:issued:v:3:y:2000:i:4:p:675-703
    DOI: 10.1006/redy.2000.0095
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Samuel de Abreu Pess & Rafael Rob, 2002. "Vintage Capital, Distortions and Development," Penn CARESS Working Papers ee2dae6cb07096d09f83c7bca, Penn Economics Department.
    3. Mateos-Planas, Xavier, 2004. "Technology adoption with finite horizons," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 28(11), pages 2129-2154, October.
    4. Sami Alpanda & Adrian Peralta-Alva, 2010. "Oil Crisis, Energy-Saving Technological Change and the Stock Market Crash of 1973-74," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 13(4), pages 824-842, October.
    5. Adrian Peralta Alva & Sami Alpanda, 2003. "Oil crisis, Energy Saving Technological Change, and the Stock Market Collapse of 1974," Macroeconomics 0307007, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Mukoyama, Toshihiko, 2006. "Rosenberg's "learning by using" and technology diffusion," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 123-144, September.
    7. repec:fth:sotoec:0030 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Caselli, Francesco, 2005. "Accounting for Cross-Country Income Differences," Handbook of Economic Growth, in: Philippe Aghion & Steven Durlauf (ed.), Handbook of Economic Growth, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 9, pages 679-741, Elsevier.
    9. Braguinsky, Serguey & Rose, David C., 2009. "Competition, cooperation, and the neighboring farmer effect," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 72(1), pages 361-376, October.
    10. Mateos-Planas, Xavier, 2000. "Technology adoption with finite horizons," Discussion Paper Series In Economics And Econometrics 0033, Economics Division, School of Social Sciences, University of Southampton.
    11. Caselli, Francesco, 2005. "Accounting for cross-country income differences," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 3567, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    12. Dieter Grass & Richard F. Hartl & Peter M. Kort, 2012. "Capital Accumulation and Embodied Technological Progress," Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, Springer, vol. 154(2), pages 588-614, August.
    13. Mateos-Planas, Xavier, 2000. "Technology adoption with finite horizons," Discussion Paper Series In Economics And Econometrics 33, Economics Division, School of Social Sciences, University of Southampton.
    14. Xavier Mateos-Planas, 2001. "Schooling and Distortions in a Vintage Capital Model," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 4(1), pages 127-158, January.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O41 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models

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