Emerging Technologies and Disruption

The study of emerging technologies and disruption in economics analyzes how innovations like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and biotechnology fundamentally alter market structures and economic activity. This field examines the process of "creative destruction," where new technologies create novel products, services, and business models that displace established firms and industries. Key areas of focus include the impacts on productivity growth, the future of work and labor markets, shifts in competitive dynamics, and the challenges for regulation and public policy in navigating rapid technological change.

  1. Foundations of Technological Disruption
    1. Defining Technological Disruption
      1. Characteristics of Disruptive Technologies
        1. Performance Trajectory Differences
          1. Market Entry Points
            1. Value Network Transformation
            2. Sustaining vs. Disruptive Innovation
              1. Definition and Distinction
                1. Performance Improvement Patterns
                  1. Market Response Dynamics
                    1. Examples of Sustaining Innovation
                      1. Examples of Disruptive Innovation
                      2. Low-End Disruption
                        1. Entry at the Bottom of the Market
                          1. Underserved Customer Segments
                            1. Performance Sufficiency Thresholds
                              1. Market Migration Patterns
                              2. New-Market Disruption
                                1. Creation of New Markets
                                  1. Non-Consumption and Market Expansion
                                    1. Accessibility and Simplicity Factors
                                      1. Value Network Creation
                                    2. Core Economic Theories of Innovation
                                      1. Schumpeter's Creative Destruction
                                        1. Entrepreneurial Innovation
                                          1. Business Cycles and Industrial Transformation
                                            1. Market Structure Evolution
                                              1. Innovation Clusters
                                              2. The Solow-Swan Growth Model
                                                1. Role of Technology in Economic Growth
                                                  1. The Technology Residual
                                                    1. Total Factor Productivity
                                                      1. Exogenous Technology Assumptions
                                                      2. Endogenous Growth Theory
                                                        1. Innovation as an Engine of Growth
                                                          1. Knowledge Spillovers
                                                            1. Human Capital and R&D Investment
                                                              1. Increasing Returns to Scale
                                                              2. Innovation Systems Theory
                                                                1. National Innovation Systems
                                                                  1. Regional Innovation Clusters
                                                                    1. Triple Helix Model
                                                                  2. Historical Waves of Technological Change
                                                                    1. The First Industrial Revolution
                                                                      1. Mechanization and Steam Power
                                                                        1. Textile Industry Transformation
                                                                          1. Iron and Steel Production
                                                                            1. Transportation Revolution
                                                                            2. The Second Industrial Revolution
                                                                              1. Electrification
                                                                                1. Mass Production and Assembly Lines
                                                                                  1. Chemical Industry Development
                                                                                    1. Internal Combustion Engine
                                                                                    2. The Third Industrial Revolution
                                                                                      1. Information Technology and Automation
                                                                                        1. Rise of Computers and Telecommunications
                                                                                          1. Semiconductor Technology
                                                                                            1. Internet Infrastructure
                                                                                            2. The Fourth Industrial Revolution
                                                                                              1. Cyber-Physical Systems
                                                                                                1. Integration of Digital, Biological, and Physical Worlds
                                                                                                  1. Smart Manufacturing
                                                                                                    1. Autonomous Systems
                                                                                                    2. Kondratiev Waves
                                                                                                      1. Structure of Long Economic Cycles
                                                                                                        1. Technological Drivers of Each Wave
                                                                                                          1. Innovation Clustering Patterns
                                                                                                            1. Economic Transformation Periods
                                                                                                          2. Technology Adoption and Diffusion
                                                                                                            1. The S-Curve of Technology Adoption
                                                                                                              1. Stages of Adoption
                                                                                                                1. Inflection Points and Market Saturation
                                                                                                                  1. Performance Improvement Phases
                                                                                                                    1. Technology Substitution Patterns
                                                                                                                    2. Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations Theory
                                                                                                                      1. Innovation Adoption Lifecycle
                                                                                                                        1. Innovators
                                                                                                                          1. Early Adopters
                                                                                                                            1. Early Majority
                                                                                                                              1. Late Majority
                                                                                                                                1. Laggards
                                                                                                                                2. Factors Influencing Adoption
                                                                                                                                  1. Relative Advantage
                                                                                                                                    1. Compatibility
                                                                                                                                      1. Complexity
                                                                                                                                        1. Trialability
                                                                                                                                          1. Observability
                                                                                                                                          2. Communication Channels
                                                                                                                                            1. Social System Influence
                                                                                                                                            2. Network Effects and Critical Mass
                                                                                                                                              1. Direct Network Effects
                                                                                                                                                1. Indirect Network Effects
                                                                                                                                                  1. Tipping Points and Lock-In
                                                                                                                                                    1. Platform Dynamics
                                                                                                                                                      1. Switching Costs

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                                                                                                                                                  2. Key Emerging Technologies and Their Economic Mechanisms