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Liberalization and Productivity Growth: The Case of Manufacturing Industry in Nepal

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  • Kishor Sharma
  • Sisira Jayasuriya
  • Edward Oczkowski

Abstract

The proposition that liberalization improves productivity growth is examined using data from Nepalese manufacturing-a least developed country that implemented trade liberalization during the 1980s. Productivity growth in general was negative in both the preand post-liberalization periods, but a marginal improvement was detected in the latter period in that the decline in productivity growth was arrested. Higher productivity growth took place in industries with relatively large-scale production and foreign investment. The magnitude of the impact of foreign investment, however, depends on the incentive environment. The analysis suggests that, while trade and exchange rate policy reforms may be a necessary condition for improving productivity growth in least developing countries, they are not sufficient. Shortages of human capital and physical infrastructure need to be redressed if potential productivity improvements are to be fully achieved.

Suggested Citation

  • Kishor Sharma & Sisira Jayasuriya & Edward Oczkowski, 2000. "Liberalization and Productivity Growth: The Case of Manufacturing Industry in Nepal," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(2), pages 205-222.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:oxdevs:v:28:y:2000:i:2:p:205-222
    DOI: 10.1080/713688311
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jayanthakumaran, Kankesu, 2002. "The Impact of Trade Liberalisation on Manufacturing Sector Performance in Developing Countries: A Survey of the Literature," Economics Working Papers wp02-07, School of Economics, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
    2. Dolage, D.A.R. & Sade, Abu Bakar & Ahmed, Elsadig Musa, 2010. "The influence of Flexible Manufacturing Technology adoption on productivity of Malaysian manufacturing industry," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 27(1), pages 395-403, January.
    3. Deb Kusum Das, 2007. "Trade Liberalization and Industrial Productivity: An Assessment of Developing Country Experiences," Working Papers id:1009, eSocialSciences.
    4. Kishor Sharma, 2004. "The Impact of Policy Reforms on Labour Productivity, Price Cost Margin and Total Factor Productivity: The Nepalese Experience," South Asia Economic Journal, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, vol. 5(1), pages 55-68, March.
    5. Pamela Coke Hamilton & Yvonne Tsikata & Emmanuel Pinto Moreira, 2009. "Accelerating Trade and Integration in the Caribbean : Policy Options for Sustained Growth, Job Creation, and Poverty Reduction," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 2652, December.
    6. Yapa M.W.Y. Bandara & Neil D. Karunaratne, 2013. "Globalization, Policy Reforms and Productivity Growth in Developing Countries: Evidence from Sri Lanka," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 14(3), pages 429-451, September.
    7. Kishor Sharma, 2000. "Liberalization and Structural Change: Evidence from Nepalese Manufacturing," Working Papers 812, Economic Growth Center, Yale University.
    8. Edward Oczkowski & Kishor Sharma, 2005. "Determinants of Efficiency in Least Developed Countries: Further Evidence from Nepalese Manufacturing Firms," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(4), pages 617-630.
    9. Saon Ray, 2014. "What Explains the Productivity Decline in Manufacturing in the Nineties in India?," Working Papers id:6280, eSocialSciences.
    10. L. ALAN WINTERS & NEIL McCULLOCH & ANDREW McKAY, 2015. "Trade Liberalization and Poverty: The Evidence So Far," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Non-Tariff Barriers, Regionalism and Poverty Essays in Applied International Trade Analysis, chapter 14, pages 271-314, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    11. Anthony Enisan Akinlo, 2005. "Impact of Macroeconomic Factors on Total Factor Productivity in Sub-Saharan African Countries," WIDER Working Paper Series RP2005-39, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    12. Binod K. Karmacharya, 2001. "Economic Reforms in Nepal and their Implications for Trade, Economic Growth, Inequality and Poverty," South Asia Economic Journal, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, vol. 2(1), pages 87-103, March.

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