National University of Ireland, Galway
Ollscoil na hEireann, Gaillimh
Autumn (REPEAT) Exams 2009/10
EC378 Economics of Technological Change
Final Commerce, Final Arts, Final B.Sc. (BIS), Visiting Students, H.Dip. (Econ.Sc.)
Prof Cillian Ryan (External Examiner)
Dr Aidan Kane
Prof John McHale (Head of discipline)
Time Allowed: TWO hours.
Please answer three questions. All questions carry equal marks.
1. In what key ways does the evolutionary/institutional school of thought attempt to
address the deficiencies of the neo-classical economics approach to innovation?
2. The construction and use of statistical indicators of innovation involves costs as
well as benefits, i.e., trade-offs. Illustrate this by way of examples.
3. In what ways is network analysis an appropriate set of techniques for modelling
innovation within and between firms and/or universities.
4. Drawing upon Stephen Casper’s work on the San Diego biotech cluster, explain
(a) the concept of career affiliation networks and how they evolve and (b) how the
robustness of a cluster built via such networks might be tested using network
analysis.
5. Describe some of the key options for the reform of financing of third-level
education systems, particularly in continental Europe, in the light of the particular
challenges those systems currently face.
6. Describe the competing objectives involved in designing a good intellectual
property rights system and the key elements of such a system which can be varied
to meet those objectives.
