nep-ict New Economics Papers
on Information and Communication Technologies
Issue of 2007‒12‒08
three papers chosen by
Walter Frisch
University Vienna

  1. Usage and Diffusion of Cellular Telephony, 1998-2004 By Michal Grajek; Tobias Kretschmer
  2. Network of Tinkerers: A Model of Open-Source Technology Innovation By Meyer, Peter B.
  3. An Endogenous Growth Model with Embodied Technical Change without Scale Effects By Bianco, Dominique

  1. By: Michal Grajek (ESMT European School of Management and Technology); Tobias Kretschmer (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität)
    Abstract: We study the dynamics of usage intensity of second-generation cellular telephony over the diffusion curve. Specifically, we address two questions: First, can we draw conclusions about the underlying drivers of technology diffusion by studying usage intensity? Second, what is the effect of high penetration of previous generations and competing networks on network usage intensity? Using an operator-level panel covering 41 countries with quarterly data over 6 years, we find that heterogeneity among adopters dominates network effects and that different technological generations are complements in terms of usage, but substitutes in terms of subscription.
    Keywords: Cellular telephony, diffusion, usage intensity, network effects, consumer heterogeneity, fixed-mobile substitutability
    JEL: L1 L52 O38
    Date: 2007–09–27
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:esm:wpaper:esmt-07-003&r=ict
  2. By: Meyer, Peter B. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
    Abstract: Airplanes were invented by hobbyists and experimenters, and some personal computers were as well. Similarly, many open-source software developers are interested in the software they make, and not focused on profit. Based on these cases, this paper has a model of agents called tinkerers who want to improve a technology for their own reasons, by their own criteria, and who see no way to profit from it. Under these conditions, they would rather share their technology than work alone. The members of the agreement form an information network. The network's members optimally specialize based on their opportunities in particular aspects of the technology or in expanding or managing the network. Endogenously there are incentives to standardize on designs and descriptions of the technology. A tinkerer in the network who sees an opportunity to produce a profitable product may exit the network to create a startup firm and conduct focused research and development. Thus a new industry can arise.
    Keywords: Technological Change, Open Source Software, Uncertainty, Innovation, Invention, Collective Invention, Hackers, Hobbyists, Experimenters, Airplane
    JEL: O3 O31 O34 N10 D83 D85
    Date: 2007–11
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bls:wpaper:ec070120&r=ict
  3. By: Bianco, Dominique
    Abstract: In this paper, we extend the Romer (1990) model by intro- ducing an embodied technological change and by removing the scale effects. We show that this model can still generate steady state growth in which the embodied technical change has an positive and permanent effect on growth in the long-run.
    Keywords: Endogenous growth; Information technology; Embodied tech- nical change; Scale effects
    JEL: O41 O31
    Date: 2007–11–10
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:6045&r=ict

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