THE NATURE OF LONG-RUN TECHNOLOGICAL-CHANGE - INNOVATION, EVOLUTION AND TECHNOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

The aim of this paper is to define the concept of technological system as a useful tool for analysing the technological performance of an ec onomy. In order to deal with system openness and related concepts, the main methodological issues are presented, paying particular attention to the evolutionary methodological foundations of the process of tech nological change. Then, the main building blocks of a technological sy stem and its dynamics are analyzed in order to highlight the relevant features of this approach. An empirical comparison between German and Italian technological systems is then performed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sci ence B.V. All rights reserved.