COMPLEMENTARITY AND CUMULATIVE LEARNING EFFECTS IN THE EARLY DIFFUSION OF MULTIPLE TECHNOLOGIES

This paper concentrates on the contextual diffusion of Flexible Automa tion production and design/engineering technologies in the Italian met alworking industry. We use duration data analysis with explanatory cov ariates to point out the role of complementarities between the technol ogies examined and learning by using effects matured with experience o f previously available technologies in shaping diffusion paths. The im pact of industry- and plant-specific control variables, as well as tha t of the stock of previous adopters, on adoption probabilities is also taken into account. In addition, we analyze duration versus calendar time dependence of adoption probabilities.