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‘Made in the World’: Measuring the Productivity of Global Value Chains

Author

Listed:
  • Cheng,Wenyin
  • Meng,Bo
  • Gao,Yuning

Abstract

As an additional approach to the traditional Jorgenson’s accounting method based on the sectoral total factor productivity (TFP), this paper aims to measure GVC-based TFP by explicitly considering intermediate inputs as an endogenous variable. Based on the theoretical derivations, simulations, and a recursive approach, we first clarify the distinction between the Domar- and Leontief-based GVC TFP. We further point out the knife-edge feature of Domar aggregation based on the sectoral TFP, as well as the “missing productivity” of the conventional approach based on the share-weighted sectoral TFP or aggregate production function. Finally, we unify the Domar- and Leontief-based GVC TFP within Jorgenson’s accounting framework and decompose it into four parts. Using the world input–output database, we show that the new GVC TFP helps better understand the nature and structure of international fragmentation production and the evolution of global resource allocations.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheng,Wenyin & Meng,Bo & Gao,Yuning, 2023. "‘Made in the World’: Measuring the Productivity of Global Value Chains," IDE Discussion Papers 890, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization(JETRO).
    • Handle: RePEc:jet:dpaper:dpaper890
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • O19 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - International Linkages to Development; Role of International Organizations
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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