Person

W. Brian Arthur

Economist of complexity, increasing returns, and path dependence in technology and economic systems.

Why this matters

Arthur shows how small early advantages compound—why lock-in and sediment matter for institutions and infrastructure.

Works2 sources

article

Competing Technologies, Increasing Returns, and Lock-In by

Arthur, W. Brian. "Competing Technologies, Increasing Returns, and Lock-In by Historical Events." Economic Journal 99, no. 394 (1989): 116–131.

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article

Increasing Returns and Path Dependence in the Economy.

Arthur, W. Brian. "Increasing Returns and Path Dependence in the Economy." In The Economy as an Evolving Complex System II, edited by W. Brian Arthur, Steven N. Durlauf, and David A. Lane, 1–24. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1997.