National Academies Press: OpenBook

Technology and Economics (1991)

Chapter: Front Matter

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 1991. Technology and Economics. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1767.
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Technology & Economics

Papers Commemorating Ralph Landau's Service to the National Academy of Engineering

NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS
Washington, D.C.
1991

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 1991. Technology and Economics. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1767.
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NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS
2101 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20418

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Robert M. White is president of the National Academy of Engineering.

This volume consists of papers and speakers' remarks during a commemorative symposium in honor of outgoing NAE Vice President Ralph Landau. The symposium, entitled "Technology and Economics," was held 4-5 April 1990. The interpretations and conclusions expressed in the symposium papers are those of the authors and are not presented as the views of the council, officers, or staff of the National Academy of Engineering.

Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 90-63562

International Standard Book Number 0-309-04397-2

Additional copies of this publication are available from:
National Academy Press
2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20418

S-258

Printed in the United States of America

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 1991. Technology and Economics. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1767.
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Contents

* * * * *

The following papers were presented at a Symposium on Technology and Economics in honor of Dr. Ralph Landau for his contributions toward increasing the understanding of interactions of technology itsand economics.

 

 

Capital Formation and Economic Growth
Michael J. Boskin and Lawrence J. Lau

 

47

 

 

Investing in Productivity Growth
Dale W. Jorgenson

 

57

 

 

Technology and the Cost of Equity Capital
George N. Hatsopoulos

 

65

 

 

Science and Its Applications: How to Succeed
Michael Boudart

 

77

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 1991. Technology and Economics. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1767.
×
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 1991. Technology and Economics. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1767.
×

Foreword

The papers published in this volume commemorate Ralph Landau's many years of service to the National Academy of Engineering. Over almost two decades, Ralph Landau served the NAE as member of the council, officer of the Academy, and in a variety of capacities as a vigorous intellectual contributor to the Academy's program. Ralph Landau is an innovator who combines the characteristics of a personable and valued colleague with those of a hard-driving leader. The NAE is a different organization for his having volunteered his time and efforts on its behalf. He has taken the lead on issues that range from membership policy, through the NAE's program on technology and economics, to the NAE's relationship with the National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council. In no small way he was also responsible for the success of the Academy's 25th Anniversary Fund Drive, of which he was chairman.

It has been a personal pleasure working with Ralph Landau and I am pleased that the institution can honor him with this volume. Six of the papers in the volume were presented at a symposium held in Ralph's honor on April 5, 1990, in Washington, D.C. The seventh paper, a contribution by Ralph Landau himself, is part of his continuing effort to build bridges between economists and engineers, to deepen our national understanding of the interactions of technology and economics.

I would like to thank NAE staff members Melvin Gipson, Maribeth Keitz, H. Dale Langford, and Bruce Guile. Mr. Gipson took the lead organizing the symposium in Dr. Landau's honor and worked with Mr. Lankford, the NAE's editor, in bringing this book to fruition. Ms. Keitz provided primary support for both the symposium and the publication process. Dr. Guile, the director of the NAE's Program Office who has worked closely with Dr. Landau for the last six years, provided direction and oversight for the project.

Robert M. White

President, National Academy of Engineering

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 1991. Technology and Economics. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1767.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 1991. Technology and Economics. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1767.
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Technology and Economics Get This Book
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Engineers need economists' insights about the marketplace to understand how economic forces shape the environment for technological innovation. Just as important, economists must come to understand the power and process of technological change in industry. Technology and Economics defines the common ground for this ongoing dialogue between engineers and economists.

This book presents the views of some of the leading U.S. economists and technologists who have worked to deepen understanding of the interactions between technology and economics. It explores topics relating to economic growth and productivity, the relation of technical progress to capital formation, investing in productivity growth, the relationship between technology and the cost of capital, future challenges to agricultural research, and innovation in the chemical processing industries.

Industrialists and technologists, as well as economists, will find this book useful as an overview to issues of common concern.

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