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Productivity convergence and economic growth: A frontier production function approach

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  • Cornwell, Christopher Mark
  • Wächter, Jens-Uwe

Abstract

The empirical growth literature has focused on capital accumulation but largely ignored productivity growth. To address this imbalance, we propose a methodology for analyzing productivity convergence based on frontier production functions. We examine whether departures from the frontier are cointegrated, determine the extent and speed of catch-up, and assess the importance of efficiency changes for economic growth. Using a sample of 26 OECD countries from 1965-90, we find convergence and catch-up is fairly strong among EU countries but not among the G-7. Overall, the ability to absorb new technology is an important source of economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Cornwell, Christopher Mark & Wächter, Jens-Uwe, 1999. "Productivity convergence and economic growth: A frontier production function approach," ZEI Working Papers B 06-1999, University of Bonn, ZEI - Center for European Integration Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:zeiwps:b061999
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jaap W. B. Bos & Bertrand Candelon & Claire Economidou, 2016. "Does knowledge spill over across borders and technology regimes?," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 46(1), pages 63-82, August.
    2. repec:use:tkiwps:3232 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Lachaud, Michee Arnold & Bravo-Ureta, Boris E. & Ludena, Carlos E., 2015. "Agricultural productivity growth in Latin America and the Caribbean and other world regions: An analysis of climatic effects, convergence and catch-up," Working Papers 40, University of Connecticut, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Charles J. Zwick Center for Food and Resource Policy.
    4. Rühmann, Peter, 1999. "European monetary union and national labour markets," University of Göttingen Working Papers in Economics 3, University of Goettingen, Department of Economics.
    5. Ludena, Carlos E. & Hertel, Thomas W. & Preckel, Paul V. & Foster, Kenneth A. & Nin Pratt, Alejandro, 2006. "Productivity Growth and Convergence in Crop, Ruminant and Non-Ruminant Production: Measurement and Forecasts," 2006 Annual Meeting, August 12-18, 2006, Queensland, Australia 25392, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    6. Ludena, Carlos E. & Hertel, Thomas W. & Preckel, Paul V. & Foster, Kenneth A. & Nin Pratt, Alejandro, 2005. "Disaggregate Productivity Growth in Livestock Production: A Directional Malmquist Index Approach," 2005 Annual meeting, July 24-27, Providence, RI 19395, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    7. Cornwell, Christopher Mark & Wächter, Jens-Uwe, 1999. "Comovement and catch-up in productivity across sectors: Evidence from the OECD," ZEI Working Papers B 07-1999, University of Bonn, ZEI - Center for European Integration Studies.
    8. Lachaud, Michee & Bravo-Ureta, Boris & Ludena, Carlos, 2015. "Agricultural Productivity Growth in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC): An analysis of Climatic Effects, Convergence, and Catch-up," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 211721, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    9. Massimo Filippini & Elisa Tosetti, 2014. "Stochastic Frontier Models for Long Panel Data Sets: Measurement of the Underlying Energy Efficiency for the OECD Countries," CER-ETH Economics working paper series 14/198, CER-ETH - Center of Economic Research (CER-ETH) at ETH Zurich.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    cointegration; convergence; growth; productivity; unit root;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C2 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence
    • O57 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Comparative Studies of Countries

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