Introduction

Technological change has become a major public concern. Some countries face problems of declining competitiveness, stagnant wages and regular trade deficits. Many more face pressures from slowing growth of productivity and national income. Third World countries see technological change as a means to develop, while former Eastern bloc countries explore the relation of the market to productivity growth. Governments everywhere try to formulate productivity-enhancing policies. Clearly, in order to understand economic trends and formulate constructive policy we must understand technological change.