Showing papers on "Productivity model published in 1994"
TL;DR: In this paper, a growth accounting framework is developed to measure the effect of final output mix changes on aggregate productivity growth, and measures of composite technical change can overcome difficulties engendered by the substitution of externally provided inputs for those previously provided by the firm.
64 citations
TL;DR: The authors developed a model of growth driven by successive improvements in General Purpose Technologies (GPT's), such as the steam engine, electricity, or micro-electronics, and found that each new generation of GPT's prompts investments in complementary inputs, and impacts the economy after enough such compatible inputs become available.
Abstract: We develop a model of growth driven by successive improvements in 'General Purpose Technologies' (GPT's), such as the steam engine, electricity, or micro-electronics Each new generation of GPT's prompts investments in complementary inputs, and impacts the economy after enough such compatible inputs become available The long-run dynamics take the form of recurrent cycles: during the first phase of each cycle output and productivity grow slowly or even decline, and it is only in the second phase that growth starts in earnest The historical record of productivity growth associated with electrification, and perhaps also of computerization lately, may offer supportive evidence for this pattern In lieu of analytical comparative dynamics, we conduct simulations of the model over a wide range of parameters, and analyze the results statistically We extend the model to allow for skilled and unskilled labor, and explore the implications for the behavior over time of their relative wages We also explore diffusion in the context of a multi-sector economy
51 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a model is developed for predicting the location of major vegetation ecotones in eastern North America, which is based upon the interaction of plant physiological characteristics, climate, and soil in order to be useful as an interactive boundary condition in atmospheric general circulation models.
Abstract: A model is developed for predicting the location of major vegetation ecotones in eastern North America. The model is based upon the interaction of plant physiological characteristics, climate, and soil in order to be useful as an interactive boundary condition in atmospheric general circulation models. The model represents the relative competitive ability of different vegetation types by their annual net primary productivity as expressed through water use. At any given location, the vegetation type with the highest productivity is assumed to be dominant. Ecotones are located where competitive dominance shifts from one vegetation type to another. Productivity is computed as a function of annual evapotranspiration, which is a function of the length of the growing season, photosynthetic capacity, potential evapotranspiration, and soil moisture availability, among other things. When considering the coniferous boreal/deciduous forest ecotone, it is found that inherent physiological differences between conifers and deciduous trees lead to differences in productivity which are related primarily to temperature. The model predicts a reversal of deciduous/coniferous productive dominance at the latitude of the observed ecotone; that is, within the transition zone of mixed forest. The productivity model does not adequately explain the existence of the deciduous/southern pine ecotone. Soil chemistry apparently plays a role in the determination of this boundary.
40 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used a recently developed approach, data envlopment analysis, to measure productivity, which can be used not only to calculate productivity but also to divide productivity measures into indices that measure technical efficiency and technical change.
Abstract: Numerous methods for measuring multifactor productivity have been used by economists. This report uses a recently developed approach, data envlopment analysis, to measure productivity. This method can be used not only to calculate productivity but also to divide productivity measures into indices that measure technical efficiency and technical change. Technical efficiency measures the efficiency with which resources are used. Technical change measures changes in output arising from improved technology. In this report, relative efficiency measures and multifactor productivity measures are calculated for the agricultural sectors of 77 countries. Analysis shows that multifactor productivity of the agricultural sector has risen in most developed countries and fallen in many developing countries over the past two decades. Adoption of input-intensive technology by developing countries may have offset productivity gains from improved yields and imporved labor productivity,
31 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that the choice of the parametrization of the light captured by phytoplankton cells in a turbulent mixed layer has a significant effect on the calculated productivity estimates.
Abstract: Primary productivity in the North Atlantic (59°29′N, 20°50′W) was estimated by applying a “light-pigment” productivity model (Kiefer and Mitchell, 1983) to mooring data collected during the spring of 1989. We show that the choice of the parametrization of the light captured by phytoplankton cells in a turbulent mixed layer has a significant effect on the calculated productivity estimates. It appears that the quality of such estimations benefits largely from using high-resolution time series data (minutes). We also examined phytoplankton dynamics by incorporating the Kiefer-Mitchell model into a one-dimensional model of the turbulent mixed layer (Mellor and Yamada, 1982). The calculated time-depth distribution of phytoplankton biomass compares relatively well with that measured in situ. The model results indicate that small changes in the water column stability can be sufficient to initiate phytoplankton bloom even before the apparent formation of the seasonal thermocline. The model also describes the diel cycle of biomass concentration, suggesting that near the sea surface the daytime losses of biomass by vertical diffusion can be much larger than nighttime losses. Thus, if not accounted for, such losses may bias estimates of primary production from diel variations in biomass concentration, for example, when using a method based on beam attenuation measurements. These losses should also be considered for the proper interpretation of in situ primary production measurements by incubation methods.
22 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the components of productivity change in manufacturing industry over the regions of Greece in the 1980s and showed that regional differences in productivity are significant in two respects: the outcomes of different production processes in space where labour is supplied and combined with various sorts of capital and where specific technologies are used.
Abstract: The components of productivity change in manufacturing industry over the regions of Greece in the 1980s are examined. Regional differences in productivity are significant in two respects. They reflect the outcomes of different production processes in space where labour is supplied and combined with various sorts of capital and where specific technologies are used. They also reflect opportunities for developing efficient business operations in space, in that they indicate one important aspect of a region's comparative advantage. Change in value added in manufacturing is represented by change in the factor inputs of capital, labour, and technology. Some of this change in output is accounted for by constant returns to scale. The rest is a result of variable returns to scale, such as produced by agglomeration economies or diseconomies, different levels of infrastructure provision, etc, and technological change. Total factor productivity represents these sources of nonconstant returns to scale. It is shown tha...
22 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented an elementary version of the Malmquist productivity change index, which measures productivity change using data on inputs and outputs, but does not require price information.
Abstract: Presents an elementary version of the Malmquist productivity change index. This index measures productivity change using data on inputs and outputs, but does not require price information.
15 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that the gains of total factor productivity or the benefits of process innovation can be measured as a reduction in time of the total cost per unit of output, for any industry, when costs and outputs are measured at constant prices.
Abstract: In an input–output framework the gains of total factor productivity or the benefits of process innovation can be measured as a reduction in time of the total cost per unit of output, for any industry, when costs and outputs are measured at constant prices. These benefits are distributed to the economic agents (consumers, suppliers, workers, capital owners) through changes in prices, reflecting the structure of the different markets for products and for primary inputs. Theoretical considerations about this process of distribution of the benefits of innovation are complemented with computations related to the evolution of the Spanish economy between 1975 and 1980.
12 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present measures of land and labor productivity for a group of 98 developed and developing countries using an entirely new data set with annual observations spanning the past three decades.
Abstract: In this paper we present measures of land and labor productivity for a group of 98 developed and developing countries using an entirely new data set with annual observations spanning the past three decades. The substantial cross-country and intertemporal variation in productivity in our sample is linked to both natural and economic factors. We extend previous work by dealing with multiple sources of measurement error in conventional agricultural inputs when accounting for observed differences in productivity. In addition to the mix of conventional inputs in agriculture, we find that indicators of quality change in these inputs and the amount of publicly provided infrastructure are significant in explaining cross-sectional differences in productivity patterns.
12 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a microcomputer software system for total productivity measurement in manufacturing organi-zations, named TOPROD, developed by the author, is described. And the results are analysed, and possible steps for improvement suggested.
Abstract: Describes a microcomputer software system for total productivity measurement in manufacturing organi‐zations, named TOPROD, developed by the author. Beginning with a discussion advocating the greater use of total productivity ratios in industry, the six main programs of the software are described. The first three modules deal with various categories of inputs: capital (including fixed and working), direct costs (such as labour and raw materials) and indirect costs. The fourth module considers all output items. The fifth and sixth algorithms compute total and value‐added productivity respectively, as well as partial productivities of the principal inputs. Describes the application of TOPROD to an Indian chemical process plant, producing high‐density polyethylene. The results are analysed, and possible steps for improvement suggested.
7 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared three alternative methods of calculating an annual user charge (current cost accounting, the economic carrying charge and the discount weighted average tariff) for measuring the productivity of government trading enterprises (GTEs).
Abstract: Total factor productivity (TFP) is an increasingly popular method of measuring the productivity of Government Trading Enterprises (GTEs) over time. It is important that the productivity changes reflect real improvements in productivity, rather than the particular treatment of financial items such as the written down value of assets. The annualised cost of capital (or annual user charge) is an important component of the measurement of TFP. This article compares three alternative methods of calculating an annual user charge (current cost accounting, the economic carrying charge and the discount weighted average tariff). Each method of calculating the annual user charge is combined with three methods of calculating the capital stock (deflated written down value, deflated replacement cost and the deflated value of the annual user charge). The trend in the input index is influenced by the method used and, in turn, affects the evolution of TFP. This is particularly important in GTEs where assets tend to be large, and asset additions or replacements occur infrequently.
To demonstrate the importance of this, a case study of Transperth's electrification of its urban passenger rail system is presented. The study shows that estimates of productivity varied by up to 20 per cent within three years of the assets being replaced.
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TL;DR: The authors examined changes in agricultural productivity in 18 developing countries over the period 1961 to 1985 using the concept of distance function and the nonparametric, quantity-based Malmquist index approach, and contrast the results with their previous Cobb-Douglas production function approach.
Abstract: This paper examines changes in agricultural productivity in 18 developing countries over the period 1961 to 1985. Because input price series are not available, we use the concept of distance function and the nonparametric, quantity-based Malmquist index approach, and contrast the results with our previous Cobb-Douglas production function approach. The objective is to present an analysis of technological change that is less dependent on the parametric specification of the model. In average terms, the Malmquist constant-returns-to-scale approach indicates that half of these countries have experienced productivity declines. The partitioning of productivity into technical change and technical efficiency components indicates that negative technical change has been responsible for these declines, while most countries have experienced improvements in Farrell efficiency. In addition, countries that tax agriculture most heavily had the most negative rates of productivity change.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a systematic overview of the relationship between change and productivity growth by reinterpreting the theoretical identity between TC and TFP growth and investigate a theoretical background for adjusting the traditional mesures.
Abstract: Recent developments in the methodological measurement of productivity change have contributed much to measuring the real productivity change. Productivity change is generally measured by either the rate of change an index of outputs divided by an index of inputs or the rate of shift in a production function. As Solow(1957) argued, total factor productivity(TFP) growth and technical change(TC) are the two sides of a same can One puzzing question is that two empirical measures, diverging from the theoretical identity between TC and TFP growth, show very different estimates, depending upon maintained assumptions and model specifications. The main purpose of the paper was to provide a systematic overview of tecknical change and productivity growth by reinterpreting the theoretical identity between TC and TFP growth and to investigate a theoretical background for adjusting the traditional mesures. We showed how traditional productivity mesures at a static equilibrium should be changed as the concepts of duality and dynamics are introduced into the underlying ftuiction, upon which parametric measurement of productivity is based.
TL;DR: In this article, two models were developed to investigate unionism effects in both office and school construction, and the results indicated a positive union productivity effect in office construction and a negative union productivity impact in school construction.
Abstract: Two models are developed to investigate unionism effects. The first assumes Cobb-Douglas technology, derives an explicit cost function allowing for noncost minimization and separates productivity and labor intensity effects. The second assumes a more flexible translog shadow cost function and isolates a neutral productivity effect and factor-specific composite effects. The models are estimated using Allen's construction data. Both models indicate a positive union productivity effect in office construction and a negative union productivity effect in school construction. The Cobb-Douglas model indicates a binding labor-to-materials restriction in both office and school construction, but this evidence disappears with the nonminimum cost function.