This research project applies novel theoretical and empirical approaches to the study of technological progress, addressing a key question for contemporary international economic research: to what extent has the digital revolution contributed to the observed changes in the global productivity distribution and leader-follower relations?
The main objective of the proposed research is two-fold: (1) to re-examine the dynamics of technological specialisation accompanying economic growth under rapid development of digitalisation, automation and artificial intelligence (AI); and (2) to empirically quantify the effects of technological progress in digital technologies (AI in particular) in terms of their contribution to productivity growth and shifts in the worldwide productivity distribution.
The project can be located within various areas of economic research: the technological aspects of economic growth and development, international economics, and industrial relations.
The empirical analysis is performed at several levels, using recently released data at country, regional, industry and firm level, and the latest methodological developments in the measurement of digital technological progress. Technological specialization and the involvement in digital technologies is measured using trade and patent data, as well as microeconomic employment statistics. Empirical part of the project is complemented by theoretical investigation using selected formal models of technological progress and economic growth.
The project is realised at Gdańsk University of Technology (GdanskTech), in cooperation with the Warsaw School of Economics and foreign partners (Germany, Italy) Research team.
