We render operational the model outlined by Carter (1990) via the introduction of the research methods necessary for studying the spatial and sectoral (upstream and downstream) benefits of productivity-enhancing innovations within a real interregional input–output framework. As case study we examine the reduction in production costs derived from the adoption of longer and heavier vehicles in freight road transportation. We exploit a new Spanish regional table including a detailed disaggregation of the transportation sector. The productivity gains at the national level, resulting from a 30% reduction in transport costs, amount to 2.95% of the GVA at market prices. Results show that firms operating in this niche market appropriate most of the gross operation surplus (which increases by 10%), consistent with the existence of market power. The remaining transportation sectors see profits slightly worsened, suggesting limited substitution effects. A high regional heterogeneity exists because of the different input–output structures.

我们通过引入必要的研究方法，在真正的区域间投入产出框架内研究生产力增强创新的空间和部门（上游和下游）效益，使卡特（1990）概述的模型变得可操作。作为案例研究，我们研究了在货运道路运输中采用更长和更重的车辆所带来的生产成本的降低。我们利用了一个新的西班牙区域表，其中包括交通部门的详细分类。由于运输成本降低 30%，国家层面的生产率提高按市场价格计算相当于 GVA 的 2.95%。结果表明，在这个利基市场运营的公司占据了大部分营业盈余（增加了 10%），这与市场力量的存在相一致。其余运输行业利润略有恶化，表明替代效应有限。由于投入产出结构不同，存在高度的区域异质性。