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A Concerted Effort to Tackle the UK Productivity Puzzle

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  • Bart van Ark
  • Anthony J. Venables

Abstract

The United Kingdom has suffered an extreme version of the "productivity puzzle" – the strong and largely unexplained slowdown in productivity growth among OECD economies since the mid-2000s. In recognition of the challenges that weak productivity growth and low levels of productivity create for economic performance, living standards, and distribution of income across regions, a new research institute has been set up to advance the understanding of the problem. The Productivity Institute will create a comprehensive and interdisciplinary research agenda and contribute to the frontier of knowledge creation in productivity research in the UK and around the world. The Institute will focus on innovative ways to improve productivity performance, providing new insights to help policy and business leaders understand better how to raise productivity and thereby raise living standards in a sustainable manner. This article outlines the overall approach to research, engagement and capacity building by the Institute.

Suggested Citation

  • Bart van Ark & Anthony J. Venables, 2020. "A Concerted Effort to Tackle the UK Productivity Puzzle," International Productivity Monitor, Centre for the Study of Living Standards, vol. 39, pages 3-15, Fall.
    • Handle: RePEc:sls:ipmsls:v:39:y:2020:1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter Bauer & Igor Fedotenkov & Aurelien Genty & Issam Hallak & Peter Harasztosi & David Martinez Turegano & David Nguyen & Nadir Preziosi & Ana Rincon-Aznar & Miguel Sanchez Martinez, 2020. "Productivity in Europe: Trends and drivers in a service-based economy," JRC Research Reports JRC119785, Joint Research Centre.
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    11. Besley, Tim & Davies, Richard, 2019. "Formulating Industrial Policy," National Institute Economic Review, National Institute of Economic and Social Research, vol. 250, pages 47-53, November.
    12. Bart van Ark & Klaas de Vries & Abdul Erumban, 2020. "How to not miss a productivity revival once again?," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 518, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
    13. Agrawal, Ajay & Gans, Joshua & Goldfarb, Avi (ed.), 2019. "The Economics of Artificial Intelligence," National Bureau of Economic Research Books, University of Chicago Press, number 9780226613338.
    14. Nicholas Oulton, 2019. "The UK and Western Productivity Puzzle: Does Arthur Lewis Hold the Key?," International Productivity Monitor, Centre for the Study of Living Standards, vol. 36, pages 110-141, Spring.
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    Cited by:

    1. John G. Fernald & Robert Inklaar & Dimitrije Ruzic, 2023. "The Productivity Slowdown in Advanced Economies: Common Shocks or Common Trends?," Working Paper Series 2023-07, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
    2. John Holden & Marianne Sensier & Richard Allmendinger, 2021. "The North West of England's Productivity Challenge: Exploring the issues," Insight Papers 003, The Productivity Institute.
    3. Adrian Pabst & Andrew Westwood, 2021. "The Politics of Productivity: institutions, governance and policy," Working Papers 015, The Productivity Institute.
    4. Jean-Marie Grether & Benjamin Tissot-Daguette, 2021. "Zoom in, zoom out: A shift-share analysis of productivity in Switzerland based on micro data," IRENE Working Papers 21-10, IRENE Institute of Economic Research.
    5. Andrew Westwood & Marianne Sensier & Nicola Pike, 2021. "Levelling Up, Local Growth and Productivity in England," Insight Papers 005, The Productivity Institute.
    6. Bart van Ark & Dirk Pilat & Klaas de Vries, 2023. "Are Pro-Productivity Policies Fit for Purpose? Productivity Drivers and Policies in G-20 Economies," Working Papers 038, The Productivity Institute.
    7. Martin Fleming, 2021. "Productivity Growth and Capital Deepening in the Fourth Industrial Revolution," Working Papers 010, The Productivity Institute.
    8. John G. Fernald & Robert Inklaar, 2022. "The UK Productivity “Puzzle” in an International Comparative Perspective," Working Paper Series 2022-07, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
    9. David M. Williams, 2021. "Pay and Productivity in Canada: Growing Together, Only Slower than Ever," International Productivity Monitor, Centre for the Study of Living Standards, vol. 40, pages 3-26, Spring.

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