Uneven (and Divergent) Technological Accumulation among Advanced Countries: Evidence and a Framework of Explanation

1 September 1994

journal article
Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Industrial and Corporate Change

Vol. 3 (3) , 759-787
https://doi.org/10.1093/icc/3.3.759

Abstract

We present evidence for the advanced OECD countries of uneven and divergent patterns of technological accumulation. We show that ‘global’ firms will not smooth out the differences, since their technological activities are strongly influenced by conditionsin their own countries. We suggest that— in addition to diversity in cumulative technological trajectories 7— the divergent patterns reflect international differences in the capacities of management, financial and training institutions properly to evaluate— and exploit— the learning benefits of technological investments. For these reasons, we conclude that technological gaps among the advanced OECD countries are here to stay.

Keywords

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