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Impact of the adoption of information and communication technologies on firm efficiency in the Tunisian manufacturing sector

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  • Ayed Mouelhi, Rim Ben

Abstract

This paper aims at measuring the impact of information and communication technology use on the efficiency of the Tunisian manufacturing sector at the firm level within a simple theoretical framework. We are using a firm-level panel data for the manufacturing sector in Tunisia to investigate whether adoption of ICT influences efficiency in factor use. The analysis is conducted through the use of a parametric method to measure technical efficiency. We estimate a stochastic production frontier and the relationship aims to explain technical efficiency differentials in a single stage as suggested by Battese and Coelli [Battesse, G.E, Coelli, T.J. (1995). A model for technical inefficiency in a stochastic frontier production function for panel data. Empirical Economics, 20, 325-332]. The results have confirmed the presence of positive returns to ICT capital. We have found that the impact of ICT on efficiency is strong. Our results also suggest that it is important to carefully control for human capital related characteristics of employment when studying the effect of ICT. The evidence shows that achieving benefits from investment in ICT requires complementary investments and changes in human capital. This means that the combined use of ICT and human capital in a firm would enhance its efficiency beyond the direct effects of these factors taken alone.

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  • Ayed Mouelhi, Rim Ben, 2009. "Impact of the adoption of information and communication technologies on firm efficiency in the Tunisian manufacturing sector," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 26(5), pages 961-967, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:26:y:2009:i:5:p:961-967
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    1. Fındık, Derya & Tansel, Aysit, 2013. "Resources on the stage: a firm level analysis of the ict adoption in Turkey," MPRA Paper 65956, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 05 Aug 2014.
    2. Fındık, Derya & Tansel, Aysit, 2013. "Intangible investment and technical efficiency: The case of software-intensive manufacturing firms in Turkey," MPRA Paper 65955, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 05 Aug 2014.
    3. Wang Zhang, 2023. "The Impact of the Platform Economy on Urban–Rural Integration Development: Evidence from China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-19, July.
    4. Xinyi Du & Kangqi Jiang & Xian Zheng, 2024. "Reducing asymmetric cost behaviors: Evidence from digital innovation," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-18, December.
    5. Amin Vafadarnikjoo & Hadi Badri Ahmadi & James J. H. Liou & Tiago Botelho & Konstantinos Chalvatzis, 2023. "Analyzing blockchain adoption barriers in manufacturing supply chains by the neutrosophic analytic hierarchy process," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 327(1), pages 129-156, August.
    6. Asante, Bright Owusu & Villano, Renato A. & Battese, George E., 2014. "The effect of the adoption of yam minisett technology on the technical efficiency of yam farmers in the forest-savanna transition zone of Ghana," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 9(2), pages 1-16, April.
    7. Castiglione, Concetta & Infante, Davide, 2014. "ICTs and time-span in technical efficiency gains. A stochastic frontier approach over a panel of Italian manufacturing firms," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 55-65.
    8. Castiglione, Concetta & Infante, Davide, 2012. "ICTs and lags in technical efficiency gains. A stochastic frontier approach over a panel of Italian manufacturing firms," MPRA Paper 51071, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Mohamed Amara & AbdelRahmen El Lahga, 2015. "A note on MAR and Jacobs externalities in the Tunisian manufacturing industries," Letters in Spatial and Resource Sciences, Springer, vol. 8(2), pages 151-167, July.
    10. Edward Yeboah & Kwame Owusu Kwateng & Clement Oppong, 2014. "Information Systems And Accounting Practices In Ghanaian Public Institutions," Accounting & Taxation, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 6(1), pages 121-132.
    11. Izak Atiyas, 2011. "Firm-Level Data In The Mena Region: Research Questions, Data Requirements And Possibilities," Middle East Development Journal (MEDJ), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 3(02), pages 159-190.
    12. Gangopadhyay, Partha & Nilakantan, Rahul, 2021. "Peer effects and social learning in banks’ investments in information technology," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 456-463.
    13. Khanna, Rupika & Sharma, Chandan, 2022. "Impact of information technology on firm performance: New evidence from Indian manufacturing," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    14. Derya Findik & Aysit Tansel, 2015. "​ Intangible Investment and Technical Efficiency: The Case of Software-Intensive Manufacturing Firms in Turkey," Working Papers 2015/11, Turkish Economic Association.
    15. Mohamed Kossaï & Patrick Piget, 2012. "Utilisation des technologies de l'information et des communications (TIC) et performance économique des PME Tunisiennes :une étude économétrique," Brussels Economic Review, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles, vol. 55(3), pages 305-328.
    16. Fındık, Derya & Tansel, Aysit, 2013. "Resources on the stage: a firm level analysis of the ict adoption in Turkey," MPRA Paper 65956, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 05 Aug 2014.
    17. Won-Sik Hwang & Ho-Sung Kim, 2022. "Does the adoption of emerging technologies improve technical efficiency? Evidence from Korean manufacturing SMEs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 59(2), pages 627-643, August.
    18. Domingo Fernández-Uclés & Saida Elfkih & Adoración Mozas-Moral & Enrique Bernal-Jurado & Miguel Jesús Medina-Viruel & Saker Ben Abdallah, 2020. "Economic Efficiency in the Tunisian Olive Oil Sector," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-13, September.
    19. Khanna, Rupika & Sharma, Chandan, 2021. "Do technological investments promote manufacturing productivity? A firm-level analysis for India," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    20. Jing Wang & Yubing Xu, 2021. "Internet Usage, Human Capital and CO 2 Emissions: A Global Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-16, July.
    21. Júlio Vicente Cateia & Maurício Vaz Lobo Bittencourt & Terciane Sabadini Carvalho & Luc Savard, 2024. "The impacts of agricultural productivity on structural transformation, and poverty alleviation in Africa: evidence from Guinea-Bissau," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 61(3), pages 305-320, June.

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