S1 E1: Economics of Creative Destruction with Ufuk Akcigit from the University of Chicago
Oct 2, 2023
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Economist Ufuk Akcigit discusses creative destruction, defensive innovation, and market power impact on innovation. They explore barriers in developing economies, potential research questions, and green innovation. The conversation includes insights on superstar firms and the diffusion of innovation, with a focus on Robert Lucas and ups and downs in the field.
Creative destruction drives economic growth by replacing outdated technologies.
Evolution of creative destruction in economic literature emphasizes technological advancement beyond traditional strategies.
Balancing innovation between entrants and incumbents reveals the influence of market power on R&D decisions.
Deep dives
Importance of Creative Destruction in Economic Growth
Creative destruction is pivotal in driving economic growth, where new innovations replace outdated technologies. From the individual level to the economy as a whole, creative destruction fosters progress. The concept, dating back to philosophers like Nietzsche and Karl Marx, underscores the need for continuous turnover to introduce fresh ideas and technologies.
Evolution of Creative Destruction in Economics
Over time, the notion of creative destruction has evolved in economic literature. Beginning with Joseph Schumpeter's popularization in the 1930s, it gained further traction through later contributions like Aguiéon and Howitt's 1992 paper. This redefined how growth theories viewed innovation, emphasizing the need for technological advancement beyond traditional capital deepening strategies.
Defensive Innovation in Competition Dynamics
In the realm of innovation and competition, the balance between entrants and incumbents drives strategic R&D decisions. Incumbents may invest in defensive R&D, aiming to protect market dominance rather than foster radical innovation. Understanding this dynamic tension between competitors sheds light on how innovation is influenced by market power.
Challenges and Opportunities in Green Innovation
Green innovation emerges as a critical area for research and policy focus, particularly in addressing climate change. Transitioning to sustainable practices requires collaboration among nations and industries, navigating complex challenges like compensating developing countries for emission reductions. By blending technology and policy interventions, green innovation offers a promising frontier for future research.
Research Journey and Advice for Young Scholars
Navigating the research landscape involves resilience and adaptability. Learning from failures and recalibrating research directions is a natural part of the journey. For aspiring researchers, it's crucial to pursue questions that ignite genuine passion and curiosity. Acknowledging the role of patience, persistence, and strategic focus in scientific endeavors is key to long-term success.
In this episode, we dive into "The Economics of Creative Destruction" with Ufuk Akcigit. We talk about what creative destruction is, how this notion evolved over time, the dynamics between firms and political institutions, developing economies, and more! Email us at lsepoidcast@gmail.com OR X it out here: @POID_cast
Hosts: Ruveyda Gozen (@ruveyda_gozen) & John Van Reenen (@johnvanreenen)
2:30 What is creative destruction, and how did this notion evolve over time?
20:30 Defensive Innovation through Political Connections and Patent Thickets or Innovation Pushing the Frontier?
25:00 Superstar Firms, Market Power, and Innovation
37:30 Diffusion of Innovation and Barriers in Developing Economies
41:30 Frontier Research and Potential Research Questions on Innovation
50:30 Green Innovation
54:00 Robert Lucas
58:14 Ups and Downs, Successes and Failures
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