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Productivity, Capital Utilization, and Intra-firm Diffusion: A Study of Steel Refining Furnaces

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  • Tsuyoshi Nakamura

    (Department of Economics, Tokyo Keizai University)

  • Hiroshi Ohashi

    (Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo)

Abstract

This paper examines the intra-firm diffusion of new technology in the Japanese steel industry. The introduction of the basic oxygen furnace was the greatest breakthrough in steel refining in the last century. Using unique panel data concerning capital utiliza- tion, the paper estimates total factor productivity by technology type, and associates the estimate with intra-firm diffusion. Estimation results reveal that the productivity difference between the old and new technologies plays an important role. The paper also finds that in operation, the old technology can better respond to changes in market demand, which brings about counter-cyclicality in the measured productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Tsuyoshi Nakamura & Hiroshi Ohashi, 2007. "Productivity, Capital Utilization, and Intra-firm Diffusion: A Study of Steel Refining Furnaces," CIRJE F-Series CIRJE-F-471, CIRJE, Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo.
    • Handle: RePEc:tky:fseres:2007cf471
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    File URL: http://www.cirje.e.u-tokyo.ac.jp/research/dp/2007/2007cf471.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Odagiri, Hiroyuki & Goto, Akira, 1996. "Technology and Industrial Development in Japan: Building Capabilities by Learning, Innovation and Public Policy," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198288022.
    2. Miles S. Kimball & John G. Fernald & Susanto Basu, 2006. "Are Technology Improvements Contractionary?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 96(5), pages 1418-1448, December.
    3. Battisti, Giuliana & Stoneman, Paul, 2003. "Inter- and intra-firm effects in the diffusion of new process technology," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(9), pages 1641-1655, October.
    4. Ackerberg, Daniel & Caves, Kevin & Frazer, Garth, 2006. "Structural identification of production functions," MPRA Paper 38349, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. James Levinsohn & Amil Petrin, 2003. "Estimating Production Functions Using Inputs to Control for Unobservables," Review of Economic Studies, Oxford University Press, vol. 70(2), pages 317-341.
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