1. Identifying DDIs with empirical data at different levels and with different methodological tools
The definition of DDI as introduced by OECD is a broad and flexible one, but it is not straightforward to translate it into empirical proxies. Thus, we systematically discuss various possible definitions of DDI and make an unprecedented effort to search, select, collect, and process evidence on this phenomenon. Since DDI reveals its effect at different levels of aggregation, we undertake this exercise by looking at the structural composition of the economy, at the level of single sectors, and at the firm level. We expect thus to provide a wide range of novel measures and indicators of DDI types and diffusion, in turn allowing to map DDI across sectors and countries, well beyond the picture delivered by prior isolated studies.
2. Assessing the uneven impact of DDI at the level of economy, sectors, and firms.
Drawing from the indicators and the empirical mapping developed in Objective 1, we then aim to relate the present state of diffusion of DDI to the development of sectors and firms. Although DDI has the potential to be pervasive across industries, the pace of diffusion is likely to be uneven and its full realization depends on the specific characteristics of each industry such as the technological knowledge of the sectors, as well as the availability and recombination of skills and competence of the workforce. Analyses of cross-sectoral differences, rather than a uni-sectoral analysis, will provide insights into how DDIs affect all the levels we identified above. At the same time, within industries, the different degree of involvement and the heterogeneity in the ability of firms to master DDI-related changes, is likely to produce uneven outcomes in terms of key dimensions of firm performance, such as firm growth, survival, and innovativeness.
The Team
Our research team consists of experienced academics and researchers from various institutions, working together to achieve the project objectives.