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The acceleration in U.S. total productivity after 1995: the role of information technology

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Abstract

Under standard conditions, total factor productivity (TFP) growth measures the pace of innovation or technological change in the economy. This article focuses on the period since the mid-1990s, when TFP accelerated. The authors find that most of the acceleration is accounted for by industries that use, rather than sectors that produce, information technology.

Suggested Citation

  • John G. Fernald & Shanthi Ramnath, 2004. "The acceleration in U.S. total productivity after 1995: the role of information technology," Economic Perspectives, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, vol. 28(Q I), pages 52-67.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedhep:y:2004:i:qi:p:52-67:n:v.28no.1
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    Cited by:

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    3. Miguel A León-Ledesma & Peter McAdam & Alpo Willman, 2012. "Non-Balanced Growth and Production Technology Estimation," Studies in Economics 1204, School of Economics, University of Kent.
    4. Schiffbauer, Marc, 2007. "Calling for innovations - infrastructure and sources of growth," Papers DYNREG18, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    5. Malik Shahzad Shabbir & Nusrat Yaqoob, 2019. "The impact of technological advancement on total factor productivity of cotton: a comparative analysis between Pakistan and India," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 8(1), pages 1-16, December.
    6. Antonio Paradiso, 2023. "A reconstruction of the time series of global technology from 5500 BC to the 2000s," Working Papers 2023:12, Department of Economics, University of Venice "Ca' Foscari".
    7. Ali YOUSEFI & Sadegh KHALILIAN & Mohammad Hadi HAJIAN, 2010. "The Role of Water Sector in Iranian Economy: A CGE Modeling Approach," EcoMod2010 259600173, EcoMod.
    8. Alexandre Mas, 2008. "Labour Unrest and the Quality of Production: Evidence from the Construction Equipment Resale Market," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 75(1), pages 229-258.
    9. McAdam, Peter & Willman, Alpo & León-Ledesma, Miguel A., 2010. "In dubio pro CES - Supply estimation with mis-specified technical change," Working Paper Series 1175, European Central Bank.
    10. Loreto Lira & Magdalena Ugarte & Rodrigo Vergara, 2012. "Prices and market structure: an empirical analysis of the supermarket industry in Chile," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(36), pages 4731-4744, December.
    11. Grégory LEVIEUGE & Cristina BADARAU-SEMENESCU, 2010. "Which policy-mix to mitigate the effects of the financial heterogeneity in a monetary union?," EcoMod2010 259600105, EcoMod.

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