Technological trajectories

Dosi, G. Technological paradigms and technological trajectories, in Research Policy 11/1982, pp. 147-162... 

Historically, technology clusters (parallel development of railroads and telegraph, road networks, oil pipelines) have been instrumental in raising productivity and also in alleviating many adverse environmental effects. The emergence of a new cluster could hold the promise of an environmentally more compatible technology trajectory. But it will take time. 

Arts, S., Appio, F.P., and Van Looy, B. (2013) Inventions shaping technological trajectories do existing patent indicators provide a comprehensive picture Scientometrics, 97 (2), 397-419. 

National Academy of Engineering (NAE). 1997. Technological Trajectories and the Human Environment. Washington, D.C. National Academy Press. 

The first part of the book explores the relationship between market structure and the rate and direction of the innovation process. Specifically, the chapter by Marin and Soitis analyses the relationship between market size, the existence of alternative technological trajectories in R D intensive industries, and concentration. In particular, according to Sutton (1991 and 1998) predictions, Marin and Siotis tested two main hypotheses a) as market size grows, industries with endogenous sunk costs, such as advertising and R D expenditures, may... 

The case of dyes and adhesives, both of which are high R D markets, deserve a final comment. In the latter cases, concentration is higher in Europe but the homogeneity index is lower. This is consistent with the existence of distinct technological trajectories that display economies of scope among themselves. Thus, EU firms in these markets seem to have successfully exploited these opportunities. 

Dosi, G. (1982). Technological Paradigms and Technological Trajectories. Research Policy, 11(3), 147-162. Freeman, C., Soete, L. (1997). The Economics of Industrial Innovation (3 ed.). London Pinter. 

The firm-level effects of path dependency can be easily translated onto the country-level. Most firms are more embedded in a domestic network than in an intcjr-national network. Second, regional spillovers, technical information derived fi om other firms located in the same region, make it more profitable for firms to follow the technological trajectory of the other firms in the region (David et ial. 1998). As a result, nations can follow different national paths of technical change (Lundvall 1993). 

Dosi (1982) suggested that technical progress follows technological trajectories because R D activities built on accumulated knowledge and commercial problems and scientific questions are normally tackled within a technological paradigm. 

Dosi, Giovanni, 1982, Technological Paradigms and Technological Trajectories A Suggested Interpretation of the Determinants and Directs of Technical Change, Research Policy U, 147-162. 

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