UNU-MERIT Working Papers Series
Technological change in developing countries: Trade-offs between economic, social, and environmental sustainability
Isabella Massa #2015-051Over the past years, the manufacturing sector has gone through a period
of significant technological change. Technological innovation may bring
significant socio-economic benefits and improve the environmental
prospects, but it may also pose severe challenges to the economy, human
well-being, and the environment. The aim of this paper is to review and
discuss the existing literature on the economic/social,
social/environmental, and environmental/economic trade-offs stemming
from technological change in the manufacturing sector, with a focus on
developing countries. The policy designs proposed in the literature to
minimise the trade-offs arising from technological innovation and to
achieve technology-driven sustained economic growth, social
inclusiveness and environmental sustainability are also examined.
JEL Classification: O11, O13, O14, O15, O33, O38
Keywords: technological change; developing countries; manufacturing; trade-offs; growth; social inclusiveness; environmental sustainability.
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