|
on Efficiency and Productivity |
| By: | Hugues Keje (Université catholique du Congo - Université catholique du Congo) |
| Abstract: | Using the research of Simar and Wilson, this article applies the Bootstrap to the performance scores derived from the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model of MFIs in developing countries. Then, it apprehend the sensitivity of these scores to exogenous shocks particulary the macroeconomics variables. The estimated DEA frontier effectively differentiates between efficient MFIs located on this frontier and inefficient MFIs located below it. |
| Abstract: | Au moyen des travaux de Simar et Wilson, cet article applique le Bootstrap aux scores de performance issus du modèle Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) des IMF des pays en développement. Ensuite il saisit la sensibilité de ces scores aux chocs exogènes. La frontière DEA estimée établit effectivement la différentiation entre les IMF efficientes situées sur cette frontière et les IMF inefficientes localisées en dessous de celle-ci. |
| Keywords: | Bootstrap, DEA, Microfinance institution MFI efficiency |
| Date: | 2025–07–30 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05226442 |
| By: | Simplice A. Asongu (Johannesburg, South Africa); Joseph Nnanna (Abuja, Nigeria) |
| Abstract: | This research investigates how enhancing remittances affects total factor productivity (TFP) dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) empirical strategy is adopted for the purpose of the study and the engaged TFP dynamics are: TFP, real TFP, welfare TFP and real welfare TFP. Significant net effects are not apparent from enhancing remittances for TFP, real TFP growth and welfare TFP while positive net effects are apparent on real welfare TFP. The unexpected findings are elucidated and policy implications are discussed. This study has complemented the attendant literature by assessing how growing remittances influence dynamics of TFP in Sub-Saharan Africa. |
| Keywords: | Economic Output; Remitances; Sub-Saharan Africa |
| JEL: | E23 F24 F30 O16 O55 |
| Date: | 2024–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dbm:wpaper:24/005 |
| By: | BRYSON, Alex; TANAKA, Mari |
| Abstract: | The effects of trade unions on firm performance are theoretically ambiguous. The sizable empirical literature on their effects is almost exclusively confined to developed countries, particularly those in North America and Europe. We contribute to the literature by estimating union effects on firm performance in about 40, 000 firms in 77 developing countries between 2002 and 2011. In doing so, we exploit standardized firm level data collected by the World Bank. We find positive partial correlations between unionization and firm labor productivity and wages, especially in lower-income countries. These positive effects persist when we instrument for union presence, consistent with recent evidence of union positive effects on productivity and wages in western industrialized countries. |
| Keywords: | trade unions, productivity, wages, developing countries, enterprise data, union formation |
| JEL: | J51 |
| Date: | 2025–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hit:hituec:774 |
| By: | Guy Gellatly; Wulong Gu |
| Abstract: | This Spotlight is a complement to a new presentation Research to Insights: Challenges and Opportunities in Innovation, Technology Adoption and Productivity, highlighting key findings from the agency’s productivity research program and recent business surveys. It also explores the relationship between competitive intensity and innovation and informs on the pace at which disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, are being integrated into the economy. |
| Keywords: | innovation, technology adoption, productivity |
| JEL: | J23 M21 |
| Date: | 2024–07–24 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:stc:stcp8e:202400700002e |
| By: | Barrales-Ruiz, Jose; Kim, Gyeongho; Mendieta-Munoz, Ivan |
| Abstract: | This paper provides an empirical analysis of the dynamic determinants of US labor productivity growth by considering that the latter is an endogenous outcome, mainly influenced by changes in the size of the economy and relative labor costs. Specifically, we consider that changes in GDP, real wages, wages relative to the price of capital, and investment effect simultaneously the evolution of labor productivity growth. We focus on studying whether the response of the latter to these effects has been stable or time-varying by adopting a flexible hybrid time-varying parameter Bayesian vector autoregression with stochastic volatility empirical framework. This allows us identify whether none, some, or all lagged and contemporaneous coefficients in the equations in the model are constant or time-varying via model selection. We find: (i) evidence supporting the view of time-varying endogenous labor productivity growth dynamics; (ii) that the response of labor productivity growth to GDP growth has tended to increase over time; and (iii) that the response of labor productivity growth to real wage growth has tended to decrease over time. Our findings have important policy recommendations that can help to improve the future performance of labor productivity growth in the USA. |
| Keywords: | labor productivity growth, induced technical change effect, Kaldor-Verdoorn effect, model selection, time-varying parameter vector autoregressions |
| JEL: | B50 C11 C32 C52 E12 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:esprep:330302 |
| By: | Stela Jorgji (University of Tirana); Jonida Teta (University of Tirana); Saeed Mousa (ESC [Rennes] - ESC Rennes School of Business); Vadim Ponkratov; Izabella Elyakova; Larisa Vatutina; Andrey Pozdnyaev; Tatiana Chernysheva (MSU - Lomonosov Moscow State University = Université d'État Lomonossov de Moscou [Moscou]); Elena Romanenko; Mikhail Kosov (PRUE - Plekhanov Russian University of Economics [Moscow]) |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the relationships between sustainable human capital management practices, ESG performance, ESG disclosure, and firm financial performance. Using a sample of 387 S&P 500 firms from 2013 to 2023 and a panel data regression approach, we examine the impact of training expenditure, workforce diversity and inclusion, pay equity, and employee benefits on ESG performance. We also explore the association between ESG performance and ESG disclosure, the effect of ESG performance on financial performance, and the moderating role of ESG disclosure in the ESG-financial performance relationship. Our findings reveal that sustainable human capital management practices have a positive and significant impact on ESG performance, which in turn positively influences firm financial performance. We also find a positive relationship between ESG performance and ESG disclosure, and that ESG disclosure moderates the ESG-financial performance link, with the positive association being stronger for firms with higher levels of ESG disclosure. This study contributes to the literature by offering an integrated approach to examine the relationships between sustainable human capital management, ESG performance, ESG disclosure, and financial performance, providing novel insights into the drivers and outcomes of corporate sustainability in the context of human capital management. |
| Keywords: | Sustainability, Effects of Globalization, Firm Financial Performance, ESG Disclosure, ESG Performance, Sustainable Human Capital Management |
| Date: | 2024–06–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05271946 |
| By: | Kurniady, Alvin |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new production function that takes into account self-learning AI, which can improve itself and therefore productivity without any additional human capital or labor, even though it still requires physical capital. The difference between my production function and any other existing production function is that my production function separates technologies into self-learning and non-self-learning technologies. The value of exponent for the self-learning technologies depends on the value of its base and this is the unique recursive feature of my production function. Unlike in the MRW production function, in my production function, technology and labor force are separated and this is allowed because I make the technology endogenous. My production function leads to only two possibilities, which are an economy that is in balanced growth path (BGP), and an economy that is in accelerating growth path. The determining factor that decides whether an economy is in BGP or not is the exponent for the self-learning technologies in my production function. If the sum of all exponents is less or equal to 1, then the economy is in BGP, which is consistent with MRW (1992). If the sum of all exponents is greater than 1, then the economy is in accelerating growth path, which is consistent with Romer (1986). There is no steady state in my production function. I also rule out the possibility of singularity. My production function has many policy implications, and the policy recommendations differ among AI-producing countries, rich non-AI-producing countries and poor non-AI-producing countries. |
| Keywords: | Self-learning artificial intelligence; Production function; Balanced growth path vs. accelerating growth path; Recursive learning; Economic growth; Total output |
| JEL: | O41 |
| Date: | 2025–10–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:126457 |
| By: | Giuseppe Fiori; Colleen Lipa; William Wu |
| Abstract: | Over the past two decades, the divergence in GDP per capita between the United States and major European economies has grown. Relative to 2000, this gap has widened by 41% (see Panel A in Figure 1). |
| Date: | 2025–10–15 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fip:fedgfn:2025-10-15-1 |
| By: | Bharti, Nitin Kumar; Gethin, Amory; Jenmana, Thanasak; Mo, Zhexun; Piketty, Thomas; Yang, Li |
| Abstract: | This paper constructs a new global historical database on public expenditure and revenue and their components-particularly education and health expenditure-covering all world regions over the 1800-2025 period. We document a large rise of human capital expenditure (as % of GDP) in all parts of the world in the long run, but with enormous and persistent inequality between regions. Public education expenditure per school-age individual in Sub-Saharan Africa is about 3% of the level observed in Europe and North America in 2025 in PPP terms (versus 6% in 1980 and 4% in 1950). We also find a large impact of human capital expenditure on productivity growth over the 1800-2025 period, especially for public education and for poor countries. Estimated returns using our macro-historical database are around 10% or more, in line with micro studies. Finally, we present simulations based on alternative human capital expenditure trajectories over the 2025-2100 period. In particular, we analyze the conditions under which convergence in human capital expenditure could lead to global productivity convergence by 2100 (around 100€ per hour in all regions in our benchmark scenario). |
| Keywords: | Human Capital, Productivity, Education, Health, Global Inequality |
| JEL: | E24 H5 I15 I25 N10 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:zewdip:330312 |
| By: | Ulep, Valerie Gilbert T.; Casas, Lyle Daryll D.; Hagag, Sarah Reem Hesham Mohamed; Ho, Frances Dominique V.; Medina, Rizel; Rodriguez, Henrietta Marie |
| Abstract: | In the Philippines, hospital efficiency and quality are rarely assessed due to the limited availability of administrative health data. An analysis of 37 million inpatient claims from PhilHealth (2018–2023) estimated hospital efficiency and quality nationwide. Findings revealed significant variations in efficiency based on hospital ownership, service capacity, and regional differences. Descriptive cost-efficiency indicators showed differences of 2 to 5 times, even after adjusting for case complexity. The stochastic frontier analysis revealed notable production inefficiencies, with public and private hospitals operating at efficiency levels ranging from 50 percent to 80 percent. This indicates potential underutilized capacity and opportunities for improvement, particularly in increasing the number of PhilHealth-covered admissions in private hospitals. Approximately 5 percent of PhilHealth claimants account for about 25 percent of total inpatient reimbursements by the Corporation, highlighting significant concerns regarding equity and efficiency. This pattern suggests that a small subset of patients, often those with complex or chronic conditions (i.e., noncommunicable diseases), disproportionately consume resources, potentially limiting coverage for the broader population's needs. In terms of quality, a modest level of readmissions, avoidable admissions, and hospital-acquired complications was observed, with variations depending on hospital type and service capacity. Admissions for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions constitute roughly 30 percent of all admissions, a relatively high share that points to policy and programmatic gaps in hospital efficiency, primary healthcare, and the effectiveness of ambulatory care in hospitals. This report demonstrates the feasibility of using health insurance claims data to measure variations in hospital performance, particularly as the sector shifts toward value-based provider payment systems. Comments to this paper are welcome within 60 days from the date of posting. Email publications@pids.gov.ph. |
| Keywords: | universal health care;PhilHealth;hospital efficiency;inpatient;quality of care;high-cost users;readmissions;ambulatory care sensitive conditions;equity |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:phd:dpaper:dp_2025-30 |
| By: | Bharti, Nitin; Gethin, Amory; Jenmana, Thanasak; Mo, Zhexun; Piketty, Thomas; Yang, Li |
| Abstract: | This paper constructs a new global historical database on public expenditure and revenue and their components—particularly education and health expenditure—covering all world regions over the 1800-2025 period. We document a large rise of human capital expenditure (as % of GDP) in all parts of the world in the long run, but with enormous and persistent inequality between regions. Public education expenditure per school-age individual in Sub-Saharan Africa is about 3% of the level observed in Europe and North America in 2025 in PPP terms (versus 6% in 1980 and 4% in 1950). We also find a large impact of human capital expenditure on productivity growth over the 1800–2025 period, especially for public education and for poor countries. Estimated returns using our macro-historical database are around 10% or more, in line with micro studies. Finally, we present simulations based on alternative human capital expenditure trajectories over the 2025–2100 period. In particular, we analyze the conditions under which convergence in human capital expenditure could lead to global productivity convergence by 2100 (around 100€ per hour in all regions in our benchmark scenario). (Stone Center on Socio-Economic Inequality Working Paper) |
| Date: | 2025–10–24 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:ftjys_v1 |
| By: | de la Fonteijne, Marcel R. |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the dynamic behavior of the capital-labor-mix parameter α in CES production functions within the framework of the Modern Universal Growth Theory (MUGT). While traditional growth models don’t show openly the dynamic behavior of α, we show that under marginal profit optimization, α has to adapt continuously to remain on a balanced growth path (BGP). This adjustment leads to a redefinition of α at each basepoint—denoted αₘ—highlighting its role as a stabilizing variable. In practice, αₘ appears remarkably stable, suggesting the presence of market or institutional mechanisms that counterbalance the change of the capital-labor-mix α by technical progress. Growth, without counterbalance of the capital-labor-mix α and with elasticity of substitution σ≠1, always leads in the long run to a labor-only or capital-only production function. We further explore whether policy should focus on stabilizing workshare ws or on maintaining profitability r. |
| Keywords: | Capital and Labor Augmented Technical Progress; Growth Model, Maximum Profit Condition; Production Functions; General Technical Progress; Capital-Labor-mix; Elasticity of Substitution; DSGE; Total Factor Productivity; TFP; Solow model; Hicks; Harrod; MUGT; Modern Universal Growth Theory |
| JEL: | E00 E02 E20 E23 E24 E25 |
| Date: | 2025–08–06 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:126079 |
| By: | Luis Orea (Department of Economics - Universidad de Oviedo = University of Oviedo); K Hervé Dakpo (UMR PSAE - Paris-Saclay Applied Economics - AgroParisTech - Université Paris-Saclay - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement) |
| Abstract: | One of the approaches to address the issue of production heterogeneity is to use latent class models. In most of these models, class membership either does not vary or might change freely over time. While the first assumption becomes increasingly untenable as the number of observed periods becomes larger, the second assumption is difficult to justify if important factors exist that prevent firms from switching classes back and forth several times. The present paper aims to develop a latent class model that allows firms to change from one class to another over time while permitting some degree of persistence in class membership. Our model can be used in settings with more than two classes and estimated using unbalanced panel datasets. An application of the empirical model in the context of dairy farm intensification is also provided. We find evidence of moderate resistance to replacing one milk production system with another in this sector, especially for small farms. Despite this, the standard latent class model performs reasonably well in terms of class-membership probabilities and temporal patterns. |
| Abstract: | L'une des approches permettant d'aborder la question de l'hétérogénéité de la production consiste à utiliser des modèles de classes latentes. Dans la plupart de ces modèles, l'appartenance à une classe ne varie pas ou peut changer librement au fil du temps. Si la première hypothèse devient de plus en plus intenable à mesure que le nombre de périodes observées augmente, la seconde est difficile à justifier s'il existe des facteurs importants qui empêchent les entreprises de changer plusieurs fois de classe. Le présent article vise à développer un modèle de classes latentes qui permette aux entreprises de passer d'une classe à une autre au fil du temps tout en autorisant un certain degré de persistance dans l'appartenance à une classe. Notre modèle peut être utilisé dans des contextes comportant plus de deux classes et estimé à l'aide d'ensembles de données de panel déséquilibrés. Une application du modèle empirique dans le contexte de l'intensification des exploitations laitières est également fournie. Nous constatons une résistance modérée au remplacement d'un système de production laitière par un autre dans ce secteur, en particulier pour les petites exploitations. Malgré cela, le modèle de classe latente standard fonctionne raisonnablement bien en termes de probabilités d'appartenance à une classe et de schémas temporels. |
| Keywords: | Stochastic frontier, Class persistence, Latent class model |
| Date: | 2025–10–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05322436 |
| By: | Inés P. Murillo Huertas; Josep-Lluís Raymond-Bara |
| Abstract: | This article estimates a human capital production function (HCPF) using both ordinary least squares (OLS) and instrumental variables (IV), finding that the returns to schooling in terms of competencies are higher when using the IV approach. To interpret this counterintuitive result, a proxy for individual ability is constructed using data from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). The higher IV-based returns align with OLS estimates when the sample is restricted to high-ability individuals. Moreover, when the ability proxy is included as a control in the HCPF, the OLS and IV estimates converge, suggesting that the discrepancy between the two methods can be explained by omitted variable bias related to ability. This extended HCPF is then used to compare the effectiveness of competency generation across a selection of OECD countries. The results indicate that countries with lower competency outcomes are primarily characterized by poorer effectiveness in transforming attained schooling into competencies. |
| Keywords: | HCPF, IV, OLS, omitted variables bias |
| JEL: | C18 I26 J24 |
| Date: | 2025–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bge:wpaper:1526 |
| By: | Fouarge, Didier (ROA, Maastricht University); Fregin, Marie-Christine (Maastricht University); Janssen, Simon (Institute for Employment Research (IAB), Nuremberg); Levels, Mark (Maastricht University); Montizaan, Raymond (ROA, Maastricht University); Özgül, Pelin (Maastricht University); Rounding, Nicholas (Maastricht University); Stops, Michael (Institute for Employment Research (IAB), Nuremberg) |
| Abstract: | We analyze the impact of AI-augmented training on worker productivity in a financial services company. The company introduced an AI tool that provides performance feedback on call center agents to guide their training. To estimate causal effects, we exploit the staggered roll out of the AI-tool. The AI-augmented training reduces call handling time by 10 percent. We find larger effects for short-tenured workers because they spend less time putting clients on hold. But the AI-augmented training also improves communication style with relatively stronger effects for long-tenured agents, and we find slightly positive effects on customer satisfaction. |
| Keywords: | performance feedback, training, artificial intelligence, employee productivity |
| JEL: | J24 O31 O33 |
| Date: | 2025–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18224 |