Path-dependence in technological and institutional change -- some criticisms and suggestions

Abstract

La littérature sur le sentier de corrélation met en doute l’efficience du mécanisme de marché en ce qui concerne le choix des technologies et des normes caractérisé par les rendements croissants. Récemment cette idée a attiré l’attention de quelques chercheurs spécialisés dans le processus de changement institutionnel. Dans cet article je soutiens qu’il y a de sérieux défauts dans la manière dont le sentier de corrélation des changements technologiques est habituellement présenté. Le point principal est quoi qu’il en soit le changement institutionnel. Ici, je montre que le concept de sentier de corrélation nécessite quelques modifications avant qu’il ne puisse être appliqué fructueusement. The literature of path-dependence casts doubt on the efficiency of the market mechanism concerning the choice of technologies and standards characterized by increasing returns. Recently this idea has aroused interest among scholars inquiring into the process of institutional change. In this article I argue that there are serious shortcomings in the way pathdependence of technological change is usually presented. The main focus is, however on institutional change. Here I show that the concept ot pathdependence needs some modification before it can fruitfully be applied. Author Notes: This paper draws on some assessments by Kiwit/Voigt-1995. There, our aim was to analyze the theoretical concept of institutional change in a broader perspective including a proposal for a new taxonomy of institutions and a discussion of the relations between external and internal institutions. As a result of our work on the aforementioned paper I would like to thank Stefan Voigt and all the discussants of this paper, most notably Manfred E. Streit and Michael Wohlgemuth. The responsibility for all remaining errors, however, is entirely mine. PATH-DEPENDENCE IN TECHNOLOGICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE — SOME CRITICISMS AND SUGGESTIONS*