Technological Innovations: Slumps and Booms

26 Pages Posted: 12 Apr 1998

See all articles by Leonardo Felli

Leonardo Felli

University of Cambridge; CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

François Ortalo-Magné

Wisconsin School of Business; CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute for Economic Research)

Date Written: November 1997

Abstract

This paper documents the delayed adoption of a major technological innovation: the adoption of the diesel locomotive in the U.S. railway industry. Contrary to other instances of major technological innovations, the delay in the adoption of the diesel locomotive was not associated with an initial slump in output. We provide a theoretical model which is consistent with both an increase and a decrease in output following the invention of a new technology. Within this model we identify the key factors that make a slump in output unlikely.

JEL Classification: E32

Suggested Citation

Felli, Leonardo and Ortalo-Magne, Francois, Technological Innovations: Slumps and Booms (November 1997). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=75368 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.75368

Leonardo Felli (Contact Author)

University of Cambridge ( email )

Trinity Ln
Cambridge, CB2 1TN
United Kingdom

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

Francois Ortalo-Magne

Wisconsin School of Business ( email )

4300 Grainger Hall
975 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706-1323
United States
608-262-7867 (Phone)
608-262-7867 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://francois.marginalq.com

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute for Economic Research)

Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.CESifo.de