Convergence of Productivity Cross-National Studies and Historical Evidence

by Baumol, William J.; Nelson, Richard R.; Wolff, Edward N.

• ISBN13: 9780195083903
• ISBN10: 0195083903
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1994-06-30
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

This comprehensive study is a collection of original articles that view the current state of knowledge of the convergence hypothesis. The hypothesis asserts that at least since the Second World War, and perhaps for a considerable period before that, the group of industrial countries was growing increasingly homogeneous in terms of levels of productivity, technology and per capita incomes. In addition, there was general catch up toward the leader, with gradual erosion of the gap between the leader country, the U.S., throughout most of the pertinent period, and that of the countries lagging most closely behind it. The book examines patterns displayed by individual industries within countries as well as the aggregate economies, various influences that underlie the process of convergence that seems to have occurred, and the role that convergence has played and promises to play in the future of the newly industrialized nations and the less developed countries. Much of the analysis is set in a historical perspective, with particular attention paid to the record following World War II. The prestigious editors conclude that increasing productivity is the key to rising living standards in a globalized marketplace. Contributors include: Moses Abramovitz, Alice M. Amsden, Magnus Blomstrom, David Dollar, Takashi Hikino, Gregory Ingram, William Lazonick, Frank Lichtenberg, Robert E. Lipsey, Angus Maddison, Gavin Wright, and Mario Zejan.

Author Biography

William J. Baumol is Professor of Economics at New York University. Richard R. Nelson is Professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. Edward N. Wolff is Professor of Economics at New York University.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Contributors	p. xi
General Patterns of Convergence	p. 1
Introduction: the Convergence of Productivity, Its Significance, and Its Varied Connotations	p. 3
Notes	p. 18
References	p. 18
Explaining the Economic Performance of Nations, 1820-1989	p. 20
Notes	p. 57
References	p. 59
Multivariate Growth Patterns: Contagion and Common Forces as Possible Sources of Convergence	p. 62
Notes	p. 83
References	p. 84
Catch-Up and Convergence in the Postwar Growth Boom and After	p. 86
Notes	p. 120
Appendix Notes to Table 4-7	p. 122
References	p. 123
Technological Leadership	p. 127
The Erosion of U.S. Technological Leadership as a Factor in Postwar Economic Convergence	p. 129
Notes	p. 160
References	p. 161
Social Organization and Technological Leadership	p. 164
References	p. 190
What Lies Behind Convergence?	p. 195
Capital Intensity and Tfp Convergence by Industry in Manufacturing, 1963-1985	p. 197
Notes	p. 217
References	p. 219
Appendix: Data Sources and Availability	p. 220
Have International Differences in Educational Attainment Levels Narrowed?	p. 225
Notes	p. 239
References	p. 241
What Explains the Growth of Developing Countries?	p. 243
Notes	p. 255
References	p. 255
Appendix Table 9a-1. Regressions of Growth in Real Gdp Per Capita (rgdpcg), 1960-1985, on Initial Real Per-Capita Income and Other Factors	p. 256
The Nics and the Ldcs	p. 261
Multinational Corporations and Productivity Convergence in Mexico	p. 263
Notes	p. 276
References	p. 277
Appendix: Data Sources and Methods	p. 278
Staying Behind, Stumbling Back, Sneaking Up, Soaring Ahead: Late Industrialization in Historical Perspective	p. 285
Notes	p. 310
References	p. 311
Social Indicators and Productivity Convergence in Developing Countries	p. 316
Note	p. 328
Annex Table 12-1. Gdp Per Capita for Countries in the Sample (summers-Heston Data at 1985 International Prices)	p. 329
References	p. 329
Index	p. 335
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.