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on Efficiency and Productivity |
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Issue of 2006‒02‒19
six papers chosen by |
| By: | Inklaar, Robert |
| Abstract: | This paper studies procyclical productivity growth at the industry level in the U.S. and in three European countries (France, Germany and the Netherlands). Industry-specific demand-side instruments are used to examine the prevalence of non-constant returns to scale and unmeasured input utilization. For the aggregate U.S. economy, unmeasured input utilization seems to explain procyclical productivity. However, this correction still leaves one in three U.S. industries with procyclical productivity. This failure of the model can also be seen in Europe and is mostly concentrated in services industries. |
| Keywords: | cyclical productivity; input utilizations; instrumental variables; returns to scale |
| JEL: | D24 E32 O47 |
| Date: | 2006–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:5501&r=eff |
| By: | Jens J. Krüger (University of Jena, Faculty of Economics) |
| Abstract: | The sources of aggregate productivity growth are explored using detailed data for four-digit U.S. manufacturing industries during 1958-96 and a decomposition formula which allows to quantify the contribution of structural change. Labor productivity as well as total factor productivity are considered and the aggregation is performed with either value-added or employment shares. It is shown that structural change generally works in favor of industries with increasing productivity. This effect is particularly strong in the years since 1990, in high-tech industries and in durable goods producing industries. The impact of the computer revolution can be clearly identified. |
| Keywords: | aggregate productivity growth, structural change, manufacturing |
| JEL: | L16 O12 O33 L60 |
| Date: | 2006–02–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:jen:jenasw:2006-10&r=eff |
| By: | Thomas Barnebeck Andersen (Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen); Carl-Johan Dalgaard (Department of Economics, University of Auckland) |
| Abstract: | A number of empirical studies have investigated the hypothesis that cross-border flows of goods (international trade) and capital (FDI) lead to international technology diffusion. The contribution of the present paper consists in examining an as yet neglected vehicle for technology diffusion: cross-border flows of people. We find that increasing the intensity of international travel, for the purpose of business and otherwise, by 1% increases the level of aggregate total factor productivity and GDP per worker by roughly 0.2%. |
| Keywords: | technology diffusion; productivity; IV estimation |
| JEL: | O47 C21 |
| Date: | 2006–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kud:kuiedp:0604&r=eff |
| By: | Konstandina Natalia |
| Abstract: | A question of explaining bank failures constitutes perhaps one of the greatest interest to banks' clients, policy-makers and regulators. Not surprisingly, for a long time, this question has been a challenge for theoretical and empirical economists. In this paper we investigate which factors affect soundness of a bank, taking into consideration micro level data, as well as macro level component. We also employ efficiency estimate, obtained with the help of DEA, to account for the quality of management. Then we use logit model and proportional hazard model with efficiency component. We find that efficiency element, together with size and regional belonging, are highly significant in all specifications, while macro variables did not seem to influence failures significantly. |
| Keywords: | Russia, Russian banking, failures, efficiency |
| JEL: | G21 G33 L25 |
| Date: | 2006–02–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eer:wpalle:06-01e&r=eff |
| By: | Alan Hughes; Michael S Scott Morton |
| Abstract: | This paper argues that the gains from ICT at the individual business level depend upon the implementation of a range of complementary ÔinvestmentsÕ and organisational changes appropriate to the competitive and institutional context of particular sectors. To support our proposition we provide a brief overview of a recently emerging but compelling body of large sample micro-econometric research. We focus in depth, however on a single case study of ICT related organisational transformation in the transportation sector. This case builds upon the conceptual framework developed in the MIT interesting organisations project (Scott Morton (2003)). Taken as a whole we believe there is clear evidence of the conditions that seem to be required before the payoff from ICT can be realised by an organisation and hence diffuse through the economy. Effective use of ICT requires a holistic solution which recognises that there is no single factor, or even just a few, which leads to successful exploitation. Rather success comes from the artful crafting of a series of interrelated and mutually interdependent driving forces. The paradoxical ÔgapÕ between investment in computers and realised performance can be closed if this lesson is absorbed. |
| Keywords: | ICT, Complementary Investment, Productivity, Transport Services |
| Date: | 2005–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cbr:cbrwps:wp316&r=eff |
| By: | Seema Jayachandran |
| Date: | 2005–12–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cla:uclaol:370&r=eff |