This paper calls attention on the effects of the economic properties of knowledge on its derived demand, an issue that has not received enough attention in the literature. The results of the analysis suggests that, because of the idiosyncratic -Arrovian- properties of knowledge, a chain of effects takes place: i) in downstream markets the price of goods that have been produced using knowledge as an intermediate good, falls, ii) consequently the derived demand in upstream knowledge markets –both within corporations and by them to knowledge intensive business services (KIBS) - has a lower position, and iii) the price of knowledge is lower than it should be were knowledge a standard good traded in competitive markets, iv) with negative consequences in terms of adverse selection of large scale high quality research projects, but v) possible compensating effects stemming from the use of knowledge spillovers to generate cheaper knowledge. Such results have important implications for economic policy discussions and decisions.

The derived demand for knowledge

ANTONELLI, Cristiano
2017-01-01

Abstract

This paper calls attention on the effects of the economic properties of knowledge on its derived demand, an issue that has not received enough attention in the literature. The results of the analysis suggests that, because of the idiosyncratic -Arrovian- properties of knowledge, a chain of effects takes place: i) in downstream markets the price of goods that have been produced using knowledge as an intermediate good, falls, ii) consequently the derived demand in upstream knowledge markets –both within corporations and by them to knowledge intensive business services (KIBS) - has a lower position, and iii) the price of knowledge is lower than it should be were knowledge a standard good traded in competitive markets, iv) with negative consequences in terms of adverse selection of large scale high quality research projects, but v) possible compensating effects stemming from the use of knowledge spillovers to generate cheaper knowledge. Such results have important implications for economic policy discussions and decisions.
2017
26
1
183
194
KNOWLEDGE AS AN INTERMEDIARY INPUT; DERIVED DEMAND OF KNOWLEDGE; DEMAND SIDE KNOWLEDGE POLICY
ANTONELLI C.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
THE DERIVED DEMAND FOR KNOWLEDGE 18..docx

Accesso aperto

Tipo di file: POSTPRINT (VERSIONE FINALE DELL’AUTORE)
Dimensione 163.58 kB
Formato Microsoft Word XML
163.58 kB Microsoft Word XML Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1622816
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 10
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 7
social impact