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Econometrica Vol. 29 No. 4 1961

Technical Change and the Rate of Imitation

Edwin Mansfield

Abstract

This paper investigates the factors determining how rapidly the use of a new technique spreads from one firm to another. A simple model is presented to help explain differences among innovations in the rate of imitation. Deterministic and stochastic versions of this model are tested against data showing how rapidly firms in four industries came to use twelve important innovations. The empirical results seem quite consistent with both versions of the model.

DOI
10.2307/1911817
Volume
29
Issue
4
Pages
741
Sources
openalex crossref

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