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The origins of American industrial success: Evidence from the US portland cement industry

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  • Prentice, David

Abstract

The contributions of innovations, factor endowments and institutions to American industrialization are examined through analysing the rise of the American portland cement industry. Minerals abundance contributed in multiple ways to the spectacular rise of the industry from the 1890s. However, the results of a structural econometric analysis of entry suggests geological surveys, institutions highlighted by David and Wright, played a contributing rather than critical role in the American portland cement industry overcoming incumbent European portland cement and American natural cement producers.

Suggested Citation

  • Prentice, David, 2008. "The origins of American industrial success: Evidence from the US portland cement industry," MPRA Paper 13409, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:13409
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    1. David Prentice, 2012. "The rise of the US Portland cement industry and the role of public science," Cliometrica, Journal of Historical Economics and Econometric History, Association Française de Cliométrie (AFC), vol. 6(2), pages 163-192, May.
    2. McCloskey, Deirdre N., 2013. "Tunzelmann, Schumpeter, and the Hockey Stick," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(10), pages 1706-1715.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    American Economic History; Empirical Industrial Organization; Portland Cement;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N51 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • L61 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Metals and Metal Products; Cement; Glass; Ceramics
    • N0 - Economic History - - General
    • L10 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - General
    • N61 - Economic History - - Manufacturing and Construction - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913

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