Growth through Heterogeneous Innovations

S-Tier
Journal: Journal of Political Economy
Year: 2018
Volume: 126
Issue: 4
Pages: 1374 - 1443

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We build a tractable growth model in which multiproduct incumbents invest in internal innovations to improve their existing products, while new entrants and incumbents invest in external innovations to acquire new product lines. External and internal innovations generate heterogeneous innovation qualities, and firm size affects innovation incentives. We analyze how different types of innovation contribute to economic growth and the role of the firm size distribution. Our model aligns with many observed empirical regularities, and we quantify our framework with Census Bureau and patent data for US firms. Internal innovation scales moderately faster with firm size than external innovation.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/697901
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-24