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Sustainability of Growth in the Korean Manufacturing Sector

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  • Chang-Soo Lee

Abstract

This paper examines Krugman’s pessimistic paradigm on East Asian economic growth, using Korean manufacturing data. The initial focus is on a disaggregated growth accounting approach. I found that productivity growth is the largest contributor to output growth in eight of fifteen industries, and that productivity growth explains about 38 per cent of output growth of manufacturing overall. Secondly the theoretical issues, which call into question the theoretical basis of the paradigm, are examined. I found that sequencing of the sources of growth was empirically verified (productivity growth in light industries ? capital accumulation in heavy and petrochemical industries ? productivity growth through R&D efforts), and that an increasing or constant output–capital ratio (marginal product of capital) was found in ten of the fifteen industries, and that interactions between productivity growth and capital input growth were found in nine of the fifteen industries. These results give a strong indication that criticism of the sustainability of East Asian growth is open to question.

Suggested Citation

  • Chang-Soo Lee, 1998. "Sustainability of Growth in the Korean Manufacturing Sector," Asia Pacific Economic Papers 279, Australia-Japan Research Centre, Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University.
    • Handle: RePEc:csg:ajrcau:279
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    File URL: https://crawford.anu.edu.au/pdf/pep/pep-279.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Abramovitz, Moses, 1986. "Catching Up, Forging Ahead, and Falling Behind," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 46(2), pages 385-406, June.
    2. Dollar, David & Sokoloff, Kenneth, 1990. "Patterns of productivity growth in South Korean manufacturing industries, 1963-1979," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 309-327, October.
    3. Susan M. Collins & Barry P. Bosworth, 1996. "Economic Growth in East Asia: Accumulation versus Assimilation," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 27(2), pages 135-204.
    4. Steve Dowrick, 1995. "The Determinants of Long-Run Growth," RBA Annual Conference Volume (Discontinued), in: Palle Andersen & Jacqueline Dwyer & David Gruen (ed.),Productivity and Growth, Reserve Bank of Australia.
    5. Dollar, David, 1991. "Convergence of South Korean productivity on West German levels, 1966-1978," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 19(2-3), pages 263-273.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East

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