Long waves and information technologies - on the transition towards the information society
Författare
Summary, in English
In this paper we argue that Long Wave Theory provides a useful conceptual tool for understanding the transition from the industrial to the, post-industrial economy. While economic theories struggle to fully explain the structural changes involved in the shift towards the information economy, long wave theory offers a promising avenue for understanding the complex relationship between technology and economic development. However, a central aspect of long wave theory-the key factor-is still ambiguously dealt with in the theory and in need of further refinement. We argue that the role of the key factor in long wave theory goes beyond providing economic signals in a technological system as contended by some proponents of long wave theory. Only to a secondary, and diminishing, degree, will the key factor serve as an economic indicator in an economy progressing towards less dependence on raw material and more on application of knowledge-intensive and regenerative technologies. Considered in this way, the future pattern of long waves is more likely to be accentuated than to abate.
Avdelning/ar
- Research Policy Institute (RPI)
Publiceringsår
2005
Språk
Engelska
Sidor
203-211
Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie
Technovation; The International Journal of Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology Management
Volym
25
Issue
3
Dokumenttyp
Artikel i tidskrift
Förlag
Elsevier
Ämne
- Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Nyckelord
- technological
- systems
- innovation
- long waves
- information society
- information technologies
- techno-economic paradigm
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt
- ISSN: 0166-4972