Working Paper: NBER ID: w19052
Authors: Diego A. Comin; Mart Mestieri
Abstract: This chapter discusses different approaches pursued to explore three broad questions related to technology diffusion: what general patterns characterize the diffusion of technologies, and how have they changed over time; what are the key drivers of technology, and what are the macroeconomic consequences of technology. We prioritize in our discussion unified approaches to these three questions that are based on direct measures of technology.
Keywords: Technology Diffusion; Economic Growth; Macroeconomic Consequences
JEL Codes: E0; F0; N0
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| higher levels of human capital (J24) | increased rates of technology adoption (O33) |
| historical technology adoption levels (L96) | current economic performance (E66) |
| historical technology adoption levels in 1500 AD (N73) | current GDP per capita (E20) |
| presence of predecessor technologies (L63) | diffusion of new technologies (O33) |