Distance from the technological frontier and its effects on income inequality: a global empirical analysis

• Autores: Victória de Carvalho Caiafa, Eduardo Gonçalves, Juliana Gonçalves Taveira
• Localización: Pymes, Innovación y Desarrollo, ISSN-e 2344-9195, Vol. 13, Nº. 2, 2025 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Revista Pymes, Innovación y Desarrollo), págs. 29-51
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.70453/2344.9195.v13.n2.50541
• Títulos paralelos:
  • Distancia de la frontera tecnológica y sus efectos en la desigualdad de ingresos: un análisis empírico global
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen
  • español

    Este estudio explora la relación entre la distancia a la frontera tecnológica —medida por la brecha en patentes per cápita en comparación con Estados Unidos— y la desigualdad de ingresos, utilizando datos de panel de 38 países a lo largo de 17 años. El análisis revela que una mayor distancia a la frontera tecnológica se asocia positivamente con la desigualdad de ingresos, destacando que la innovación puede reducir las desigualdades en contextos nacionales. Los resultados sugieren que políticas que promuevan la innovación y la difusión de tecnologías, junto con medidas para ampliar el acceso a sus beneficios económicos, podrían reducir las desigualdades y fomentar un crecimiento económico más equilibrado.

  • English

    This study explores the relationship between the distance from the technological frontier —measured by the gap in patents per capita relative to the United States— and income inequality, using panel data from 38 countries over 17 years. The analysis reveals that a greater distance from the technological frontier is positively associated with income inequality, emphasizing that innovation can reduce inequalities in national contexts. The findings suggest that policies promoting innovation and the dissemination of technologies, combined with measures to broaden access to their economic benefits, may reduce inequalities and foster less uneven economic growth.

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