紀要論文

「技術普及の諸条件」の再検討

‘Factors for Diffusion of Technology’ Revisited

jpn

00229741

https://doi.org/10.15002/00025195

法政大学経済学部学会

89

4

17

39

2022-03-30

Version of Record

牧野文夫教授退職記念号

It is well known that modern Japan succeeded in the introduction of new technologies from the west. Therefore, many case studies have been accumulated by economic historians without shedding clear light on the entire process of introduction and diffusion of technology. Minami, Ishii, and Makino (1982) was an exception and explores major factors affecting long-term diffusion process of power-looms by quantitative method from macro perspective. Their study triggered a lot of follow-up studies which investigate factors promoting diffusion of power-looms, such as organization of production, wage rate, availability of electricity, local power-loom producers, and local industrial stations. In this study, I review in depth the process of introduction of power-looms in some selected cotton and silk weaving industries by focusing on the process of ‘competition between new technology and old one’ which Minami, Ishii, and Makino (1982) suggested. The historical experience in both cotton and silk weaving industries provide evidence that Japan introduced appropriate technologies in accordance with her changing factor endowments. This result seems to be consistent with the argument of Minami, Ishii, and Makino (1982).

Article

AN00071028