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Technology Adoption, Social Learning, and Economic Policy

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  • Heidhues, Paul
  • Melissas, Nicolas

Abstract

We study a two-player dynamic investment model with information externalities and provide necessary and sufficient conditions for a unique switching equilibrium. When the public information is sufficiently high and a social planer therefore expects an investment boom, investments should be taxed. Conversely, any positive investment tax is suboptimally high if the public information is sufficiently unfavorable.We also show that an investment tax may increase overall investment activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Heidhues, Paul & Melissas, Nicolas, 2010. "Technology Adoption, Social Learning, and Economic Policy," Discussion Paper Series of SFB/TR 15 Governance and the Efficiency of Economic Systems 306, Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Bonn, University of Mannheim, University of Munich.
  • Handle: RePEc:trf:wpaper:306
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Olivier Gossner & Nicolas Melissas, 2006. "Informational Cascades Elicit Private Information ," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 47(1), pages 297-325, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Heidhues, Paul & Melissas, Nicolas, 2012. "Rational exuberance," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(6), pages 1220-1240.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Information Externality; Strategic Waiting; Delay; Information Cascade; Investment Boom; Optimal Taxation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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