The better-connected countries tend to have lower technology intensity if the technology has become obsolete. Finally, the third chapter is a theoretical approach to the technology diffusion. In particular, the technology diffusion across countries can be generalized as a learning process on networks. Based on a stylized learning model, this chapter examines the impact of the network structures on the speed of the diffusion process. | Accounting undergraduate Honors theses: Essays in economic growth and development University of Arkansas, Fayetteville ScholarWorks@UARK Theses and Dissertations 8-2013 Essays in Economic Growth and Development Zhen Zhu University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: Part of the Growth and Development Commons Recommended Citation Zhu, Zhen, "Essays in Economic Growth and Development" (2013). Theses and Dissertations. 839. This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact scholar@, ccmiddle@. ESSAYS IN ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT ESSAYS IN ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Economics By Zhen Zhu Northeastern University Bachelor of Arts in Economics, 2008 University of Arkansas Master of Arts in Economics, 2009 August 2013 University of Arkansas This dissertation is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council. Dr. Javier A. Reyes Dissertation Director Dr. Gary D. Ferrier Dr. Fabio Mendez Committee Member Committee Member ABSTRACT This dissertation consists of three chapters exploring the Solow Residual of the Solow growth model. Two central components of the Solow Residual have been studied in my doctoral dissertation. The first is the structural transformation, an internal adjustment process that helps the economy attain the optimal points on its Production Possibility Frontier by reallocating resources from the low-productivity sectors to the high-productivity sectors. The second is the technology diffusion, a positive externality process that pushes
