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Income Differences, Productivity and Input-Output Networks

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  • Harald Fadinger

  • Christian Ghiglino

  • Mariya Teteryatnikova

Abstract

We study the importance of input-output (IO) linkages and sectoral productivity (TFP) levels in determining cross-country income differences. Using data on IO tables and sectoral TFP levels for 38 countries, we uncover important differences in the interaction of IO structure with sectoral TFP levels across countries: while highly connected sectors are more productive than the typical sector in poor countries, the opposite is true in rich ones. To assess the quantitative role of linkages and sectoral TFP differences in cross-country income differences, we decompose cross-country variation in real GDP per worker using a multi-sector general equilibrium model. We find that these features explain between 8 and 10 percent of cross-country income variation.

Suggested Citation

  • Harald Fadinger & Christian Ghiglino & Mariya Teteryatnikova, 2020. "Income Differences, Productivity and Input-Output Networks," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2020_168, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:bon:boncrc:crctr224_2020_168
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    Cited by:

    1. Kazekami, Sachiko, 2024. "Linkage, sectoral productivity, and employment spread," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 108-123.
    2. Yoshiyuki ARATA, 2020. "The Role of Granularity in the Variance and Tail Probability of Aggregate Output," Discussion papers 20027, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    3. Cheng Dazhong & Tang Yutong & Shao Xinyi, 2025. "Growth of the Service Sector and Economic Fluctuations: A Production Network Perspective," China Finance and Economic Review, De Gruyter, vol. 14(1), pages 23-49.
    4. Sen, A., 2024. "Structural Change at a Disaggregated Level: Sectoral Heterogeneity Matters," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 2415, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    5. Ahmad Zia Wahdat & Jayson L. Lusk, 2023. "The Achilles heel of the U.S. food industries: Exposure to labor and upstream industries in the supply chain," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 105(2), pages 624-643, March.
    6. Antonio Navas & Antonella Nocco, 2021. "Trade liberalization, selection, and technology adoption with vertical linkages," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(4), pages 979-1012, September.
    7. Zhu, Chen & Wang, Zekai & Jiang, Qi & Xie, Chang, 2024. "Does industry monopolization widen wage residual inequality In China?," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA).
    8. Sophie Osotimehin & Latchezar Popov, 2023. "Misallocation and Intersectoral linkages," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 51, pages 177-198, December.
    9. Barros, Fernando & Delalibera, Bruno R. & Ribeiro, Marcos J. & Teignier, Marc, 2026. "Production networks and structural transformation," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    10. Robert Inklaar & Ryan Marapin & Kaira Gräler, 2026. "Tradability and Sectoral Productivity Differences Across Countries," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 74(1), pages 201-253, March.
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    12. Tiago Cavalcanti & Angelo Mendes & Pierluca Pannella, 2024. "Entrepreneurship and misallocation in production network economies," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 78(1), pages 29-68, August.
    13. Sen, A., 2024. "Digitalization and Productivity Growth Slowdown in Production Networks," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 2472, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
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    15. Kame Babilla, Thierry U., 2023. "Digital innovation and financial access for small and medium-sized enterprises in a currency union," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    16. Li, Yue & Zheng, Xiaoxue & Lo, Chu-Ping, 2025. "Technological sanctions and their unintended consequences: Theory and evidence," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    17. Dalkhjav, Bayarmaa & Rubini, Loris, 2025. "Hidden information as a source of misallocation: An application to the opioid crisis," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    18. Catherine Laffineur & Charlie Joyez & Raja Kali, 2023. "Occupational Coherence and the Geography of Unemployment," GREDEG Working Papers 2023-20, Groupe de REcherche en Droit, Economie, Gestion (GREDEG CNRS), Université Côte d'Azur, France, revised Jul 2025.
    19. Richard M. Hynes & Nathaniel Pattison, 2025. "Chapter 13 Outcomes," Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(4), pages 455-474, December.
    20. Paul, Saumik & Raju, Dhushyanth, 2023. "Nonlinear Propagation of Sectoral Productivity Shocks with Variable Elasticities of Substitution," IZA Discussion Papers 16611, IZA Network @ LISER.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence
    • C67 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Input-Output Models
    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation

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