|
ZEF Discussion Papers on Devlopment Policy 7
Pdf ko'rish
|
| bet | 20/43 | | Sana | 20.05.2024 | | Hajmi | 363,42 Kb. | | #245457 |
Bog'liq zef dp07ZEF Discussion Papers on Devlopment Policy 7
19
Also noteworthy are two other points. First, it appears that a minimum threshold of
telephone/ICT density must be reached in order for ICTs to have growth-enhancing effects.
Second, the conventional growth-accounting framework may underestimate the effects of ICTs.
If these technologies enhance the efficiency of other inputs, then a large part of the contribution
of ICTs may be reflected in increases in multi-factor productivity.
27
4.2 Microeconomic Evidence
This section reviews papers that have examined the effect of ICTs at a micro-level.
These include studies that have explored the effect of ICTs on firm productivity, on consumer
welfare and on wages (labor productivity). The literature in each of these areas is examined, and
a representative example from each genre is discussed in detail.
4.2.1 The effects of ICTs on firm productivity
As outlined in section 3, ICTs may lead to more rapid, better-informed decision-making
by decreasing the cost of acquiring and generating information and reducing communication
costs. Empirically, the effects of these cost reductions and better decisions should manifest
themselves in enhanced firm productivity. Despite huge investments in computers and related
technologies, at first glance, the empirical literature, largely based on data from the United
States, does not appear to reveal the impact of these technologies on productivity.
Several articles have chronicled the effect of ICTs on productivity in manufacturing (e.g.
Morrison and Berndt, 1990; Siegel and Griliches, 1991; Loveman, 1994) and on productivity in
the service sector (e.g. Roach, 1991). While acknowledging data problems, almost all of this
early literature concluded that these technologies had little or no impact on productivity.
For instance, Baily (1986) and Roach (1991) point out that, in the 1980s, the US
economy failed to show the productivity gains expected from investment in information
technology. In fact, during this period of rapid increase in IT-use, overall growth in productivity
slowed (Landauer, 1995). This slowdown was particularly acute in the services sector, which
made the largest investments in IT (representing about 85 percent of all US computer hardware),
yet recorded stagnant productivity. Specifically, the service industry invested $750 billion in
information technology in the 1980s and recorded an average productivity growth of 0.7 percent,
a rate significantly lower than that of the 1970s and much lower than that of the manufacturing
sector, which did not invest as heavily in IT (Ives, 1994).
27
With regard to the efficiency of other inputs, (discussed in the following section), there is some evidence that
skilled labor and the use of ICTs complement each other. That is, these technologies are more likely to be used by
skilled workers, and the use of these technologies in turn enhances their productivity.
|
| |
