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Economic reforms and total factor productivity growth in Latin America and the Caribbean (1950-95) - an empirical note

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  • Fajnzylber, Pablo
  • Lederman, Daniel

Abstract

The authors rely on a series of growth accounting exercises to determine whether the growth rate of total factor productivity (TFP) or the unexplained portion of GDP growth (after controlling for the accumulation of capital per worker) in 18 Latin American and Caribbean economies has benefited from economic reform. They use Sachs and Warner (1995) criteria to identify the years of economic reform. They apply growth decomposition analysis and econometric tests to determine whether TFP growth has been significantly higher during periods of economic reform. Although the growth decomposition analysis assumes that the capital share of output is constant across Latin American countries, the economic estimates allow for cross-country differences. In ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions and seemingly unrelated regressions (SUR), two alternative dummy variables are used to control for the effects of business-cycle fluctuations on observed rates of TFP growth. In addition, the SUR regressions consider the possibility that Latin American economies face common shocks. Finally, panel regressions are based on five-year averages of the growth rates of GDP and capital per worker. The authors find that, on average, economic reforms have been associated with a 1.5 percent yearly increase in the rate of TFP growth. But there are important differences across countries and in some cases economic reforms have been associated with lower TFP growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Fajnzylber, Pablo & Lederman, Daniel, 1999. "Economic reforms and total factor productivity growth in Latin America and the Caribbean (1950-95) - an empirical note," Policy Research Working Paper Series 2114, The World Bank.
  • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:2114
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Vinyes, Cristina & Roe, Terry, 2012. "Growth of the Brazilian biofuel sector: an inter-temporal general equilibrium analysis," Conference papers 332230, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    2. Nader Nazmi & Julio E. Revilla, 2008. "Economic Efficiency and Growth: Evidence from Brazil, China, and India," WIDER Working Paper Series RP2008-86, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    3. Bandeira, Andrea C. & García, Fernando, 2002. "Reforms and growth in Latin America," Revista CEPAL, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), August.
    4. Mr. Chris Papageorgiou & Mr. Subir Lall & Ms. Florence Jaumotte, 2008. "Rising Income Inequality: Technology, or Trade and Financial Globalization?," IMF Working Papers 2008/185, International Monetary Fund.
    5. Ms. Florence Jaumotte & Ms. Irina Tytell, 2007. "How Has The Globalization of Labor Affected the Labor Income Share in Advanced Countries?," IMF Working Papers 2007/298, International Monetary Fund.
    6. Mr. Boileau Loko & Mame Astou Diouf, 2009. "Revisiting the Determinants of Productivity Growth - What’s new?," IMF Working Papers 2009/225, International Monetary Fund.
    7. -, 2007. "Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2006-2007," Estudio Económico de América Latina y el Caribe, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), number 1065 edited by Eclac, September.
    8. Antonio G. Chessa & Marije C. Schouwstra, 2005. "Total Factor Productivity and the Mongolian Transition," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 05-087/2, Tinbergen Institute.
    9. Nader Nazmi & Julio Revilla, 2011. "Brazil’s growth performance: a comparative perspective to the Asian giants," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 44(1), pages 7-24, April.
    10. Ghosh, Saibal, 2013. "Do economic reforms matter for manufacturing productivity? Evidence from the Indian experience," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 723-733.

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