Technological Diffusion, Convergence, and Growth

Robert Barro and Xavier Sala-i-Martin

No 5151, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We construct a model that combines elements of endogenous growth with the convergence implications of the neoclassical growth model. In the long run, the world growth rate is driven by discoveries in the technologically leading economies. Followers converge toward the leaders because copying is cheaper than innovation over some range. A tendency for copying costs to increase reduces followers' growth rate and thereby generates a pattern of conditional convergence. We discuss how countries are selected to be technological leaders, and we assess welfare implications. Poorly defined intellectual property rights imply that leaders have insufficient incentive to invent and followers have excessive incentive to copy.

Date: 1995-06
Note: EFG
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (86)

Published as Journal of Economic Growth, Vol. 2, no. 1 (March 1997): 1-26.

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Related works:
Journal Article: Technological Diffusion, Convergence, and Growth (1997)
Working Paper: Technological Diffusion, Convergence and Growth (1995)
Working Paper: technological Diffusion, Convergence and Growth (1995)
Working Paper: Technological diffusion, convergence and growth (1995)
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