International Technology Diffusion

Wolfgang Keller

NBER Working Paper No. 8573
Issued in October 2001
NBER Program(s):   ITI   PR

I discuss the concept and empirical importance of international technology diffusion from the point of view of recent work on endogenous technological change. In this literature, technology is viewed as technological knowledge. I first review the major concepts, and how international technology diffusion relates to other factors affecting economic growth in open economies. The following main section of the paper provides a review of recent empirical results on (i) basic results in international technology diffusion; (ii) the importance of specific channels of diffusion, in particular trade and foreign direct investment; (iii) the spatial distribution of technological knowledge, and (iv) other issues.

(355 K)

Published:

• Keller, Wolfgang. "Geographic Localization Of International Technology Diffusion," American Economic Review, March 2002, v92(1): 120-142 ,
• Keller, Wolfgang. "International Technology Diffusion." Journal of Economic Literature, September 2004, 42(3): 752-782

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