Empirical evidence sheds light on the process through which use of new technologies becomes spread, or diffused, throughout the economy. Such evidence can disclose, for example, whether the diffusion of a revolutionary new technology like that embodied in modern computers can account for the observed slowdown of measured productivity growth. Most important, the evidence suggests that a technological revolution can have large transitional effects on output and productivity growth.
Receive an email notification when Economic Quarterly is posted online: