nep-knm New Economics Papers
on Knowledge Management and Knowledge Economy
Issue of 2025–12–15
three papers chosen by
Laura Nicola-Gavrila, Centrul European de Studii Manageriale în Administrarea Afacerilor


  1. From Weber's "Spirit of Capitalism" to the Republican Spirit of Innovism: Ideas, Institutions, and the Republic of Entrepreneurs By Heng-fu Zou
  2. A 'Turtle Model' of Food System Transformations: Embracing Citizens' Diverse Values and Knowledge in Change Processes By Matthias Kaiser; Agnese Cretella; Cordula Scherer; Mimi E. Lam
  3. Endogenous Innovation in a Growth Model à la Solow By Thi Kim Cuong Pham; Ngoc-Sang Pham; Cuong Le Van; Tin Nguyen-Trong

  1. By: Heng-fu Zou (IAS, Wuhan University and World Bank)
    Abstract: We replace Weber's "spirit of capitalism" with a constitutional-cultural framework we call the republican spirit of innovism operating within a re-public of entrepreneurs. In such an order, ordinary people repeatedly propose, test, and lawfully imitate improvements under general, impersonal rules-secure property, open entry and exit, credible contract, and freedoms of speech and association. Building on Mises(calculation and residual claimancy), Hayek (discovery and dispersed knowledge), Kirzner (alertness and equilibration), and the historical evidence assembled by Mc Closkey, Mokyr, and Phelps, we argue that modern prosperity stems less from elite R&D or capital deepening and more from creative construction by the many. We derive empirical signatures-proposal density, feedback speed, and diffusion breadth-and outline a policy agenda favoring open standards, disclosure-oriented intellectual property, contestability, and re producibility. Case evidence from Britain (since 1700), the United States (since the 1780s), and contemporary technological and biomedical sectors shows that when rules keep feedback honest and imitation lawful, total factor productivity rises persistently.
    Keywords: republican spirit of innovism, republic of entrepreneurs, dispersed knowledge, entrepreneurial discovery, lawful imitation, diffusion, Industrial Enlightenment, bourgeois dignity, grassroots dynamism
    JEL: O31 O33 L26 O43 N10
    Date: 2025–11–02
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cuf:wpaper:804
  2. By: Matthias Kaiser; Agnese Cretella; Cordula Scherer; Mimi E. Lam
    Abstract: We explore the challenges and opportunities of transitioning towards sustainable food systems through the lens of democratic food governance fostering inclusive and systemic transformation. Drawing on concepts of wicked problems and systems thinking, we propose a theory of change represented as a 'turtle model' that embraces the diversity of citizens' values and knowledge to highlight multiple avenues of transformation. As quadruple helix innovation and governance hubs, cities can be hotspots for food system transformations. We illustrate this for Dublin, Ireland, where local citizens' value-based food identities were galvanized to activate ecological awareness and promote sustainable seafood consumption. Within this democratic food governance framework, approaches such as open science, transdisciplinarity, and citizen engagement are fit-for-purpose to engage diverse food actors from government, industry, academia, and civil society in shared dialogue and action to transform food systems.
    Date: 2025–12
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2512.04384
  3. By: Thi Kim Cuong Pham (CNRS, EconomiX, Université Paris Nanterre, 92001 Nanterre); Ngoc-Sang Pham (EM Normandie - École de Management de Normandie = EM Normandie Business School, CNRS, EconomiX, Université Paris Nanterre, 92001 Nanterre); Cuong Le Van (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - ENPC - École nationale des ponts et chaussées - IP Paris - Institut Polytechnique de Paris, TIMAS, Thang Long University); Tin Nguyen-Trong (CNRS, EconomiX, Université Paris Nanterre, 92001 Nanterre)
    Abstract: We develop a dynamic endogenous-growth model with an R&D sector in which the elasticity of innovation with respect to existing knowledge can be negative. We prove the existence and uniqueness of a balanced growth path (BGP) and derive closed-form growth factors, showing that productivity and output growth are semi-endogenous and population-driven. We also establish the global stability under general production function. Under testable parameter restrictions, the economy converges to the BGP. When the knowledge elasticity is sufficiently low, a Jacobian-based condition implies instability, and an N-period innovation cycle can emerge. Comparative statics are conducted to show the role of several factors, including research efficiency, elasticity of inputs and population growth. Calibrated simulations map out transitions and mark the points at which stability is lost. They make clear when innovation frictions endanger balanced growth and provide practical guidance for R&D and demographic policy.
    Keywords: endogenous growth, population-driven growth, balanced growth path, stability, instability, innovation, monotone dynamical system
    Date: 2025–11–29
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:cesptp:halshs-05388671

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