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The economics–engineering nexus: response to the commentaries

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  • Sergio Mariotti

    (Politecnico di Milano)

Abstract

This paper contributes to the debate on the relationship between economics and engineering that was opened in a previous article by the author and the comments made on the subject by other scholars, all published in the 4/2021 Issue of the Journal. It discusses the knowledge advancement and problem-solving opportunities offered by the interaction and cross-fertilization that occurs between the two disciplines. It claims that the distance between the epistemology and mentality of fundamental branches of economics and engineering is narrowing, thereby allowing a fruitful knowledge collaboration. An alliance between independent peers is the best form of governance to exploit the potentialities inherent to the relationship, as an alternative to both “economic imperialism” and “reverse imperialism”. Relatedly, the paper delves into the role of economic complexity and artificial intelligence in pushing this paradigm shift of the economics–engineering nexus, and it re-discusses the meaning and content of transdisciplinarity in the context of such an alliance. Finally, the paper expresses the hope that these topics will become a matter of debate in a widespread community of scholars.

Suggested Citation

  • Sergio Mariotti, 2022. "The economics–engineering nexus: response to the commentaries," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 49(1), pages 1-29, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:epolin:v:49:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s40812-021-00203-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s40812-021-00203-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Steve J. Bickley & Ho Fai Chan & Benno Torgler, 2022. "Artificial intelligence in the field of economics," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(4), pages 2055-2084, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Artificial intelligence; Complexity; Economics–engineering nexus; Epistemology; Transdisciplinarity; Unification of knowledge;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A12 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Other Disciplines
    • A20 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - General
    • B50 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - General
    • N01 - Economic History - - General - - - Development of the Discipline: Historiographical; Sources and Methods

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