We present a dynamic duopoly model of technical innovation in which R&D costs decrease exogenously with time, and inter-firm knowledge spillover lowers the second comer's R&D cost. The spillover effect only becomes available after a disclosure lag. These features allow us to identify a new type of equilibrium: the leader delays investment until the R&D cost is low enough that the follower finds it optimal to invest as soon as he can benefit from the spillover. This equilibrium is subgame perfect over a wide range of parameters and raises several interesting implications. First, in our new equilibrium, the time delay between the two R&D investments is realistically short. Second, while the presence of a spillover favors the second-mover, this benefit is not enough to rule out a first-mover advantage. Indeed, the first-mover advantage survives whenever technical progress is sufficiently fast and the disclosure lag is relatively long. Third, in case of a major innovation, our equilibrium implies under--investment, which requires a substantial public intervention in favor of the investment activity.
Femminis, G., Martini, G., First-Mover Advantage in a Dynamic Duopoly with Spillover, <<THE B.E. JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL ECONOMICS>>, 2010; 10 (No. 1): 1-44 [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/12288]
Autori: | |
Titolo: | First-Mover Advantage in a Dynamic Duopoly with Spillover |
Data di pubblicazione: | 2010 |
Abstract: | We present a dynamic duopoly model of technical innovation in which R&D costs decrease exogenously with time, and inter-firm knowledge spillover lowers the second comer's R&D cost. The spillover effect only becomes available after a disclosure lag. These features allow us to identify a new type of equilibrium: the leader delays investment until the R&D cost is low enough that the follower finds it optimal to invest as soon as he can benefit from the spillover. This equilibrium is subgame perfect over a wide range of parameters and raises several interesting implications. First, in our new equilibrium, the time delay between the two R&D investments is realistically short. Second, while the presence of a spillover favors the second-mover, this benefit is not enough to rule out a first-mover advantage. Indeed, the first-mover advantage survives whenever technical progress is sufficiently fast and the disclosure lag is relatively long. Third, in case of a major innovation, our equilibrium implies under--investment, which requires a substantial public intervention in favor of the investment activity. |
Lingua: | Inglese |
Rivista: | |
Citazione: | Femminis, G., Martini, G., First-Mover Advantage in a Dynamic Duopoly with Spillover, <<THE B.E. JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL ECONOMICS>>, 2010; 10 (No. 1): 1-44 [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/12288] |
Appare nelle tipologie: | Articolo in rivista, Nota a sentenza |