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Information technology and productivity changes in the Italian banking industry

Author

Listed:
  • Luca Casolaro

    (Bank of Italy, Economic Research Department)

  • Giorgio Gobbi

    (Bank of Italy, Economic Research Department)

Abstract

This paper analyzes the effect of information technologies (IT) in the financial sector using micro-data on a panel of over 600 Italian banks over the period 1989-2000. We estimate stochastic cost and profit functions allowing for individual banks� displacements from the efficient frontier and for non-neutral technological change. Data on IT capital stock for individual banks enable us to distinguish between movements along the efficient frontier and shifts of the frontier owing to the adoption of new technologies. We find that both cost and profit frontier shifts are strongly correlated with IT capital accumulation. Banks adopting IT capital intensive techniques are also more efficient. We interpret this last result as evidence of a catching-up effect consistent with the usual pattern of diffusion of the new technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Luca Casolaro & Giorgio Gobbi, 2004. "Information technology and productivity changes in the Italian banking industry," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 489, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    • Handle: RePEc:bdi:wptemi:td_489_04
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    3. Marco Moscadelli, 2004. "The modelling of operational risk: experience with the analysis of the data collected by the Basel Committee," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 517, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    4. Martín-Oliver, Alfredo & Salas-Fumás, Vicente, 2008. "The output and profit contribution of information technology and advertising investments in banks," Journal of Financial Intermediation, Elsevier, vol. 17(2), pages 229-255, April.
    5. G. Ardizzi & F. Crudu & C. Petraglia, 2015. "The Impact of Electronic Payments on Bank Cost Efficiency: Nonparametric Evidence," Working Paper CRENoS 201517, Centre for North South Economic Research, University of Cagliari and Sassari, Sardinia.
    6. Nicola Branzoli & Edoardo Rainone & Ilaria Supino, 2023. "The role of banks' technology adoption in credit markets during the pandemic," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 1406, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    7. Sauro Mocetti, 2012. "Educational choices and the selection process: before and after compulsory schooling," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(2), pages 189-209, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    banking; productivity; efficiency; information technology;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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