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Technological catch-up, nonmonotonicity, and convergence: Parametric evidence from the BRICS and European banking systems

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  • Prakash, Navendu
  • Singh, Shveta
  • Sharma, Seema

Abstract

IT-driven productivity growth offers banks an intriguing opportunity to differentiate their offerings in a monopolistic market, introduce attractive products, enhance customer service, streamline back-office processes, and ultimately achieve the twin goals of cost minimization and profit maximization. However, there has been no convincing explanation for the observed divergence in the IT-productivity literature, raising doubts about whether IT can significantly improve performance in contemporary banking markets. The article examines the role of IT-led productivity growth in governing the direction and magnitude of intra-industry and inter-country convergence by investigating the potential nonmonotonicity of IT in influencing frontier-based efficiency of the BRICS and European banking markets. Findings reveal U-shaped associations between IT and cost (profit) efficiency, suggesting that excessive investment in IT may explain the productivity conundrum for BRICS nations. IT capital is not a significant driver of cost efficiency for European nations. Nevertheless, R&D spending significantly influences frontier efficiency, reinforcing that European banks can achieve frontier-level performance by investing in innovative solutions. Inter-regional comparisons reveal that BRICS banks are converging with their European counterparts by leveraging IT solutions, while diminishing marginal benefits for the latter reinforces the presence of a catch-up effect. Intra-industry comparisons reveal that size, age, and R&D intensity drive technological catch-up and convergence.

Suggested Citation

  • Prakash, Navendu & Singh, Shveta & Sharma, Seema, 2025. "Technological catch-up, nonmonotonicity, and convergence: Parametric evidence from the BRICS and European banking systems," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 49(1).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecosys:v:49:y:2025:i:1:s093936252400075x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecosys.2024.101253
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Technological innovations; Stochastic frontier analysis; Convergence; Commercial banks; BRICS; Europe;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C67 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Input-Output Models
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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