University of Helsinki
Abstract. This paper analyzes the growth effects of competition in a product-cycle model where R&D firms both innovate and imitate and households are subject to non-diversifiable risk. I prove that product market competition promotes growth when the initial level of competition is high enough. In contrast to the earlier product-cycle models with diversifiable risk, I show also the following. Some positive profits are necessary for technological change. The larger the proportion of industries subject to price competition, the slower economic growth.
Accepted for publication in Journal of Economics.
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