Abstract
This paper seeks to measure and to explain the productivity of Singapore's manufacturing sector using industry level data. It utilises a non-parametric approach consisting of a set of production distance functions, each of which is obtained by solving a linear programming problem. From a time-series of 1983 to 1993, across thirty industries, we obtain three indices: a Malmquist total factor productivity (TFP) index, an efficiency change index, and a technological change index. The resulting TFP growth stands at 4.6% per annum, considerably greater than previous estimates using aggregate country level data. Three-stage least squares are then applied to the pooled data. Foreign ownership and labour quality are found to have important impact on TFP growth.
Published Version
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