1997
Chapter
Technology and Growth: Proceedings of the 40th Economic Conference

Discussion of "Microeconomic Policy, Technological Change, and Small Business" by Edwin Mansfield

Format:Print
| Pages:6

Abstract

Edwin Mansfield’s thoughtful review of the literature on the economics of technological change raises a variety of interesting issues, far too many to address in a few pages. Consequently I will focus my discussion on the section that I found most challenging and thought-provoking—his prescriptions for policymakers, in the section "Public Policy toward Civilian Technology." In particular, my discussion revisits these recommendations with a particular question in mind: Should public technology policy be affected by the fact that a disproportionate number of radical innovations are generated by small firms? Viewing his policy prescriptions through these lenses may help enrich the discussion.

Keywords

Policy; Technological Innovation

Citation

Lerner, Joshua. Discussion of "Microeconomic Policy, Technological Change, and Small Business" by Edwin Mansfield. In Technology and Growth: Proceedings of the 40th Economic Conference, edited by Jeffrey C. Fuhrer and Jane Sneddon Little, 208–213. Boston: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, 1997.