Optimal Diversity in Investments with Recombinant Innovation

Jeroen van den Bergh and Paolo Zeppini

No 08-091/1, Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers from Tinbergen Institute

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.

Keywords: balance; diversity; increasing returns; recombinant innovation; scale effects (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B52 C61 O31 Q55 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008-09-24
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Optimal diversity in investments with recombinant innovation (2013)
Working Paper: Optimal diversity in investments with recombinant innovation (2013)
Working Paper: Optimal Diversity in Investments with Recombinant Innovation (2008)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:tin:wpaper:20080091

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