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Where's the productivity growth (from the information technology revolution)?

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  • Donald S. Allen

Abstract

Information technology has advanced rapidly in the last two or three decades, and an equivalent rapid gain in economy-wide productivity has been anticipated. Productivity statistics, however, do not support this expectation. Although productivity growth has risen since the slowdown witnessed in the 1970s, it can hardly be described as phenomenal. Donald S. Allen discusses some of the current explanations for this apparent disparity and suggests that, as the workforce catches up to the technology level and exploits its full potential, productivity growth will increase.

Suggested Citation

  • Donald S. Allen, 1997. "Where's the productivity growth (from the information technology revolution)?," Review, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, issue Mar, pages 15-25.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedlrv:y:1997:i:mar:p:15-25
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martin Neil Baily & Robert J. Gordon, 1988. "The Productivity Slowdown, Measurement Issues, and the Explosion of Computer Power," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 19(2), pages 347-432.
    2. Baily, Martin Neil & Bartelsman, Eric J & Haltiwanger, John, 1996. "Downsizing and Productivity Growth: Myth or Reality?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 8(4), pages 259-278, August.
    3. David, Paul A, 1990. "The Dynamo and the Computer: An Historical Perspective on the Modern Productivity Paradox," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 80(2), pages 355-361, May.
    4. Stephen D. Oliner & Daniel E. Sichel, 1994. "Computers and Output Growth Revisited: How Big Is the Puzzle?," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 25(2), pages 273-334.
    5. Erik Brynjolfsson & Lorin Hitt, 1996. "Paradox Lost? Firm-Level Evidence on the Returns to Information Systems Spending," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 42(4), pages 541-558, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hyunbae Chun, 2007. "The Impact Of Information Technology On Labor Productivity Growth: Evidence From Five OECD Countries, 1970-1990," Korean Economic Review, Korean Economic Association, vol. 23, pages 5-32.
    2. Joseph H. Haimowitz, 1998. "Has the surge in computer spending fundamentally changed the economy?," Economic Review, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, vol. 83(Q II), pages 27-42.
    3. Koski, Heli, 1999. "The implications of network use, production network externalities and public networking programmes for firm's productivity," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 423-439, April.
    4. Jacobs, Bas & Nahuis, Richard, 2002. "A general purpose technology explains the Solow paradox and wage inequality," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 74(2), pages 243-250, January.
    5. Michael R. Pakko, 1999. "The U.S. trade deficit and the "new economy"," Review, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, vol. 81(Sep), pages 11-20.

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