IMF Working Papers

Implications of More Precise Information for Technological Development and Welfare

By Bernhard Eckwert, Burkhard Drees

April 1, 2007

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Bernhard Eckwert, and Burkhard Drees. Implications of More Precise Information for Technological Development and Welfare, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2007) accessed November 4, 2024
Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary

This paper analyzes the dynamic interactions between the precision of information, technological development, and welfare within an overlapping generations model. More precise information about idiosyncratic production shocks has ambiguous effects on technological progress and welfare, which depend critically on the risk sharing capacity of the economy's financial system. For example, we show that with efficient risk sharing more precise information adversely affects the equilibrium risk allocation and creates a negative uncertainty-related welfare effect, at the same time as it accelerates technological progress and increases R&D investment.

Subject: Consumption, Insurance, Overlapping generations models, Sharing economy, Technological innovation

Keywords: WP

Publication Details

  • Pages:

    23

  • Volume:

    ---

  • DOI:

    ---

  • Issue:

    ---

  • Series:

    Working Paper No. 2007/095

  • Stock No:

    WPIEA2007095

  • ISBN:

    9781451866599

  • ISSN:

    1018-5941