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Productivity and the investment climate : what matters most?

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  • Bastos,Fabiano
  • Nasir, John

Abstract

The authors explore the links between the investment climate and firm-level productivity and attempt to identify which dimensions of the investment climate matter most for productivity. Their analysis is based on data collected in a recent investment climate survey of garment and food processing firms in five countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The authors use the first principal components of a series of indicators to summarize broad aspects of the investment climate and identify those most important in determining productivity. Their results indicate that competitive pressure is the most critical factor in the investment climate, accounting for more variation in firm-level productivity than infrastructure provision or issues related to government rent seeking and bureaucratic burden. This suggests that to improve productivity, increase output, and reduce poverty, policymakers should focus reform efforts on removing barriers to entry and creating open, highly competitive markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Bastos,Fabiano & Nasir, John, 2004. "Productivity and the investment climate : what matters most?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3335, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:3335
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Robert E. Hall & Charles I. Jones, 1999. "Why do Some Countries Produce So Much More Output Per Worker than Others?," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 114(1), pages 83-116.
    2. Dollar, David & Hallward-Driemeier, Mary & Mengistae, Taye, 2005. "Investment Climate and Firm Performance in Developing Economies," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 54(1), pages 1-31, October.
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