Technological Convergence Among Us Regions and States
Posted: 2 Dec 2003
Abstract
This paper employs unit root tests that allow for two endogenously determined structural breaks to study whether or not invention activities are converging across U.S. regions/states. Using U.S. patent data from 1929 to 1997, we find technological beta convergence in six of the nine Census regions, in 11 of the 14 leading states and in 28 of the 34 lagging states. Stochastic convergence, on the other hand, is found in three regions, in four leading states and in 17 lagging states. Carlino and Mills (1993) point out that both beta - and stochastic convergence are necessary conditions for convergence. Putting these results together, we find convergence (both beta- and stochastic) in invention activities in three regions, in three leading states and in 16 lagging states.
JEL Classification: O31, O18, C32
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation