The author argues against free trade as a "default position" for international trade. He shows that arguments for free trade based on comparative advantage do not hold in reality. First, free trade makes cost-internalization for single countries difficult leading to standard-lowering competition...

This paper presents an evolutionary microeconomic theory of innovation and production and discusses its implications for development theory. Using the notions of technological paradigm and trajectory, it develops an alternative view of firm behavior and learning. It is shown then how these are...

This paper presents an overview and assessment of the theoretical and empirical work on catch-up and growth with particular emphasis on the impact of technology and the consequences for developing countries. The point of departure is the neoclassical theory of economic growth, as laid out by...

In little more than a century life expectancy has doubled in most parts of the world. Neither facts nor theory support the view that this Mortality Revolution is due to the Industrial Revolution and the era of rapid economic growth that ensued. Rather, both revolutions mark the onset of...

In this paper the normative content of the concept of GNP growth is questioned, challenging the welfare implications of the traditional notions of input and output. It is argued that the attainment of "sustainable development" requires a reorientation towards a qualitative rather than...

This paper develops a model to analyze the emergence of de facto or 'market defined' compatibility standards in the market for PC spreadsheet software over the period 1982-1988. The model is capable of integrating diverse fragments of empirical evidence and a number of important theoretical...