Suchergebnisse

International comparisons of levels of labour productivity are rare in the field of productivity analysis. In the case of Anglo-French comparisons, for example, it has already been widely established that the French economy was more slowly transformed from an agricultural economy into an industrial society than the United Kingdom; and that since the last world war manufacturing output has increased much faster in France than in Britain. The aim of the present study is to complement previous comparisons of growth rates of manufacturing productivity in Britain and France with estimates of the current differences in the levels of output per person-hour worked in a dozen branches which constitute the manufacturing sector.

'And coming home, did go on board Sir W. Petty's Experiment—which is a brave roomy vessel—and I hope may do well. So went on shore to a Dutch house to drink some Rum, and there light upon some Dutchmen, with whom we had a good discourse touching Stoveing and making of cables. But to see how despicably they speak of us for our using so many hands more to do anything then they do, they closing a cable with 20 that we use 60 men upon' (Samuel Pepys' diary for 13 February 1665)This article compares the output per person-hour in 16 branches constituting the total manufacturing sector of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The comparatively poor productivity performance of British industry, as documented in previous studies comparing Britain with Germany and the USA, is confirmed in this new comparison with a much smaller economy in the 1980s. The article examines differences in the industrial composition in the manufacturing sectors of the two countries. Part of the productivity gap is accounted for by the stronger concentration of Dutch manufacturing in capital-intensive industries and in the production of semimanufactured goods. However, a bigger slice of the gap must be attributed to factors such as differences in the pace of introducing new technologies in some of the branches, the quality of the labour force and the utilisation of the capital stock. The article also explores the relation between the average size of manufacturing units and the degree of vertical integration.

AbstractIn this paper we examine productivity trends, drivers of productivity growth and pro‐productivity policies across the G‐20 economies since 1970. While we find distinctly different productivity growth dynamics between G‐20 economies and over time, one common observation is a widely shared slowdown in labour productivity growth since the 2010s underpinned by lower (or even negative) total factor productivity growth. Moreover, the growth in capital per worker hour has also begun to level off. We develop a typology of pro‐productivity policies and argue that policies for investment and technological change need strengthening to support a revival of productivity growth. Such policies should include a balanced approach to stronger technological progress and more rapid diffusion; a strengthening of investment, especially in intangibles and public services; and greater attention for human capital. We also argue for stronger institutions and capabilities that allow for dynamic learning about pro‐productivity policies across countries and over time.