Conrad, Klaus Wastl, Dieter (Institut für Volkswirtschaft und Statistik (IVS))
Abstract
This paper presents an empirical study of productivity comparison between Japan and Germany with focus on the R&D and infrastructure. By using time-series datasets from auto vehicle industry and electronic engineering industry, the study shows the reversal of productivity advantage from Germany to Japan around 1980. We argue that Japanese productivity gains from better infrastructure and cost-reducing innovations such as lean production methods . An econometric model determines the causes for the observed differences in the quantities of inputs used. It shows that frequent external procurement among Japanese manufactures has shifted the factor inputs from labor and capital to material, a result which is in line with the philosophy of lean production.
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Paper provided by Institut für Volkswirtschaft und Statistik (IVS), University of Mannheim in its series IVS discussion paper series with number
541.
Length: Date of creation: Date of revision: Handle: RePEc:mea:ivswpa:541
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Find related papers by JEL classification: D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Capital and Total Factor Productivity; Capacity C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation L2 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior L6 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing O57 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Comparative Studies of Countries
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