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Optimal Diversity in Investments with Recombinant Innovation

Author

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  • Jeroen C.J.M. van den Bergh

    (VU University Amsterdam, and Autonomous University of Barcelona)

  • Paolo Zeppini-Rossi

    (University of Amsterdam)

Abstract

This discussion paper resulted in a publication in Structural Change and Economic Dynamics , 2013, 24, 141-156. We address the notion of dynamic, endogenous diversity and its role in theories of investment and technological innovation. We develop a formal model of an innovation arising from the combination of two existing modules with the objective to optimize the net benefits of diversity. The model takes into account increasing returns to scale and the effect of different dimensions of diversity on the probability of emergence of a third option. We obtain analytical solutions describing the dynamic behaviour of the values of the options. Next we optimize diversity by trading off the benefits of diversity (due to recombinant innovation) and the benefits associated with returns to scale. We derive conditions for optimal diversity under different regimes of returns to scale. When the investment time horizon is beyond a threshold value, the best choice becomes diversity. This threshold will be larger the higher the returns to scale.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeroen C.J.M. van den Bergh & Paolo Zeppini-Rossi, 2008. "Optimal Diversity in Investments with Recombinant Innovation," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 08-091/1, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20080091
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zeppini, Paolo & van den Bergh, Jeroen C.J.M., 2013. "Optimal diversity in investments with recombinant innovation," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 141-156.
    2. Paolo Zeppini & Jeroen C.J.M. van den Bergh, 2010. "Competing Recombinant Technologies for Environmental Innovation," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 10-107/1, Tinbergen Institute.
    3. Jie Hou & Baizhou Li, 2020. "The Evolutionary Game for Collaborative Innovation of the IoT Industry under Government Leadership in China: An IoT Infrastructure Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-21, May.
    4. Way, Rupert & Lafond, François & Lillo, Fabrizio & Panchenko, Valentyn & Farmer, J. Doyne, 2019. "Wright meets Markowitz: How standard portfolio theory changes when assets are technologies following experience curves," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 211-238.
    5. Anton Bondarev & Alfred Greiner, 2018. "Technology lock-in with horizontal and vertical innovations through limited R&D spending," 4OR, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 51-65, March.
    6. Martin Fiszbein, 2017. "Agricultural Diversity, Structural Change and Long-run Development: Evidence from the U.S," NBER Working Papers 23183, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Griffith, Rachel & Lee, Sokbae & Straathof, Bas, 2017. "Recombinant innovation and the boundaries of the firm," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 34-56.
    8. Paolo Zeppini & Jeroen C. J. M. van den Bergh, 2011. "Competing Recombinant Technologies for Environmental Innovation: Extending Arthur's Model of Lock-In," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(3), pages 317-334.
    9. Van den Bergh, J.C.J.M. & Zeppini Rossi, P., 2010. "Competing Recombinant Technologies for Environmental Innovation: Extending Arthur’s Model of Lock-in Abstract: This article presents a model of sequential decisions about investments in environmenta," CeNDEF Working Papers 10-11, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Center for Nonlinear Dynamics in Economics and Finance.
    10. Subtil Lacerda, Juliana & van den Bergh, Jeroen C.J.M., 2016. "Diversity in solar photovoltaic energy: Implications for innovation and policy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 331-340.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    balance; diversity; increasing returns; recombinant innovation; scale effects;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B52 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Historical; Institutional; Evolutionary; Modern Monetary Theory;
    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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