Technological persistence through the sailing-ship effect: some considerations for policy
| Dates: | 17 June 2014 |
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| Times: | 16:00 - 17:30 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Manchester Institute of Innovation Research |
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| Venue opening hours: | 4.15pm coffee from 4pm |
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| Who is it for: | University staff, Adults, Alumni, Current University students, General public |
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| Speaker: | Nicola De Liso |
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The “sailing-ship effect” is the process whereby an existing (incumbent) technology is improved when a new, usually more powerful one, comes into existence. There does not exist any automatism in the occurrence of the sailing-ship effect: improvements in performance and/or cost reduction of the old technology occur as the result of an intentional process. Firms may have a double incentive to stick to the old technology: on the one hand, they do not need to scrap the existing capital stock, while, on the other hand, they may find it easier to develop the technology they are already familiar with, rather than developing a new one. Interrelatedness and availability of networks already existing making use of the old technology make it more difficult the development of alternative ones. Many cases of technological competition have been highlighted in the studies of innovation, and I will refer to one which has never been discussed before in the field of the economics of innovation, namely that between (new) superconductors and (old) semiconductors in the computer industry – which has seen the latter prevailing. Technological persistence needs to be explicitly addressed in policy debates.
Speaker
Nicola De Liso
Role: Professor of Economics
Organisation: University of Salento
Travel and Contact Information
Find event
4.02
Harold Hankins building
Oxford Road
Manchester
