| Description |
xii, 343 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm |
| Contents |
1. Introduction: The Convergence of Productivity, Its Significance, and Its Varied Connotations / William J. Baumol, Richard R. Nelson and Edward N. Wolff -- 2. Explaining the Economic Performance of Nations, 1820-1989 / Angus Maddison -- 3. Multivariate Growth Patterns: Contagion and Common Forces as Possible Sources of Convergence / William J. Baumol -- 4. Catch-up and Convergence in the Postwar Growth Boom and After / Moses Abramovitz -- 5. The Erosion of U.S. Technological Leadership as a Factor in Postwar Economic Convergence / Richard R. Nelson and Gavin Wright -- 6. Social Organization and Technological Leadership / William Lazonick -- 7. Capital Intensity and TFP Convergence by industry in Manufacturing, 1963-1985 / David Dollar and Edward N. Wolff -- 8. Have International Differences in Educational Attainment Levels Narrowed? / Frank R. Lichtenberg -- 9. What Explains the Growth of Developing Countries? / Magnus Blomstrom, Robert E. Lipsey and Mario Zejan |
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10. Multinational Corporations and Productivity Convergence in Mexico / Magnus Blomstrom and Edward N. Wolff -- 11. Staying Behind, Stumbling Back, Sneaking Up, Soaring Ahead: Late Industrialization in Historical Perspective / Takashi Hikino and Alice H. Amsden -- 12. Social Indicators and Productivity Convergence in Developing Countries / Gregory K. Ingram |
| Summary |
"This is a comprehensive study of 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 country, the United States, throughout most of the pertinent period." "Convergence of Productivity examines patterns displayed by individual industries within countries as well as the aggregate economies, various influences that underlie the process of convergence, 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 editors conclude that increasing productivity is the key to raising living standards in a globalized marketplace." "Comprising the work of some of the most distinguished scholars in the field, Convergence of Productivity constitutes a major contribution to the convergence debate and should be read by all economists, as well as economic historians, government policy makers, and scholars of public administration."--BOOK JACKET |
| Analysis |
Productivity (Economics) History |
| Notes |
"This book is a compendium of papers presented at New York University in the spring of 1992 at a conference on the convergence hypothesis." - preface |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
| Subject |
Comparative economics -- Congresses.
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Convergence (Economics) -- Congresses.
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Income -- History -- 20th century -- Congresses.
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Economic history -- 1945- -- Congresses.
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Industrial productivity -- History -- 20th century -- Congresses.
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Technological innovations -- Economic aspects -- History -- 20th century -- Congresses.
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| Genre/Form |
Conference papers and proceedings.
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| Author |
Baumol, William J.
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Nelson, Richard R.
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Wolff, Edward N.
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| LC no. |
93011494 |
| ISBN |
019508389X |
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0195083903 (paperback) |
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