TY - JOUR
T1 - Branching innovation, recombinant innovation, and endogenous technological transitions
AU - Frenken, Koen
AU - Izquierdo, Luis
AU - Zeppini, Paolo
PY - 2012/9
Y1 - 2012/9
N2 - We propose a model of technological transitions based on two different types of innovations. Branching innovations refer to technological improvements along a particular path, while recombinant innovations represent fusions of multiple paths. Recombinant innovations create “short-cuts” which reduce switching costs allowing agents to escape a technological lock-in. As a result, recombinant innovations speed up technological progress allowing transitions that are impossible with only branching innovations. Our model replicates some stylised facts of technological change, such as technological lock-in, experimental failure, punctuated change and irreversibility. Furthermore, an extensive simulation experiment suggests that there is an optimal rate of innovation, which is strongly correlated with the number of recombination innovations. This underlines the pivotal role of technological variety as a seed for recombinant innovation leading to technological transitions.
AB - We propose a model of technological transitions based on two different types of innovations. Branching innovations refer to technological improvements along a particular path, while recombinant innovations represent fusions of multiple paths. Recombinant innovations create “short-cuts” which reduce switching costs allowing agents to escape a technological lock-in. As a result, recombinant innovations speed up technological progress allowing transitions that are impossible with only branching innovations. Our model replicates some stylised facts of technological change, such as technological lock-in, experimental failure, punctuated change and irreversibility. Furthermore, an extensive simulation experiment suggests that there is an optimal rate of innovation, which is strongly correlated with the number of recombination innovations. This underlines the pivotal role of technological variety as a seed for recombinant innovation leading to technological transitions.
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2012.06.001
U2 - 10.1016/j.eist.2012.06.001
DO - 10.1016/j.eist.2012.06.001
M3 - Article
SN - 2210-4224
VL - 4
SP - 25
EP - 35
JO - Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions
JF - Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions
ER -