- A-Z
- Jena Economic Resea...
- Volume 10
- Innovation and Lock...
- Autor(in)
- Erschienen
- 3. November 2016
- Nummer des Discussion-Papers
-
2016-018
- Schlagwort(e)
-
competitive diffusion
history dependent processes
innovation
Lock-in
path dependence
Polya urn
- Zusammenfsg.
-
This study focuses on a well-known but yet elusive concept: (technological) lock-in. We summarize what is known about the nature of lock-in and offer a critical view on history- dependent processes based on recent contributions to the literature. We discuss if lock-ins are really inescapable, especially when innovation is concerned. Also, we address the question if lock-in is a well-defined concept at all. To offer a fresh view on lock-in and to tackle the issues just raised, we employ the replicator dynamics model. By making a parallel between monopolization in the replicator dynamics and the occurrence of lock-ins, we show that the convergence of a system to a given outcome can be reversed, under certain conditions. We highlight the need for a more precise demarcation of the conceptual boundaries of lock-in and path dependence, both from the formal and the empirical side, and suggest that further structural features – for example users heterogeneity – may play a relevant role in affecting the outcome of dynamic allocation and competition processes.
- article pub. typess JER
- Research article
- article languages JER
- Englisch
- JEL-Classification for JER
- L15 - Information and Product Quality; Standardization and Compatibility ; O31 - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives ; O33 - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes