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Technological Progress and Growth in Selected Pacific Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Benedetto Molinari

    (Department of Economics, Universidad Pablo de Olavide)

  • Jesús Rodríguez López

    (Department of Economics, Universidad Pablo de Olavide)

  • Jose Luis Torres

    (Universidad de Málaga)

Abstract

This paper assess the sources of technological progress that determined GDP and labor productivity growth across a group of leading Pacific economies - Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. - during the period 1980-2006. We consider three alternative sources of technological progress: disembodied and factor-embodied technical change to capital and labor. The contribution to growth of each of these sources is evaluated using both traditional and equilibrium growth accounting procedures. We find that capital accumulation is the main determinant of GDP growth in Australia, Japan and the U.S., whereas the main contribution in South Korea is given by Total Factor Productivity (disembodied technology). In all the considered economies, about half of the contribution to growth of capital-embodied technical change comes from Information and Communication Technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Benedetto Molinari & Jesús Rodríguez López & Jose Luis Torres, 2012. "Technological Progress and Growth in Selected Pacific Countries," Working Papers 12.07, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:pab:wpaper:12.07
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    2. Xin-gang, Zhao & You, Zhang, 2018. "Technological progress and industrial performance: A case study of solar photovoltaic industry," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 929-936.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Output Growth; Labor Productivity Growth; Investment-Specific Technical Change; Neutral Technology; Human Capital Accumulation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights
    • O4 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity

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