Decline In Labor Productivity Research Articles

Social impact of brain fog and analysis of risk factors: Long COVID in Japanese population.

To reveal the clinical features and assess risk factors linked to brain fog and its societal implications, including labor productivity, providing valuable insights for the future care of individuals who have experienced coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We analyzed a comprehensive cohort dataset comprising 1,009 patients with COVID-19 admitted to Japanese hospitals. To assess brain fog, we analyzed patients who responded to a questionnaire indicating symptoms such as memory impairment and poor concentration. The prevalence of brain fog symptoms decreased 3 months posthospitalization but remained stable up to 12 months. Neurological symptoms such as taste and smell disorders and numbness at hospitalization correlated with a higher frequency of identifying brain fog as a long COVID manifestation. Our findings indicated that advanced age, female sex, a high body mass index, oxygen required during hospitalization, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and elevated C-reactive protein and elevated D-dimer levels were risk factors in patients exhibiting brain fog. Additionally, we demonstrated the negative impact of brain fog on labor productivity by presenteeism scores. This study clarified the clinical characteristics of patients experiencing brain fog as a long COVID manifestation, specifically emphasizing neurological symptoms during hospitalization and their correlation with brain fog. Additionally, the study identified associated risk factors for its onset and revealed that the emergence of brain fog was linked to a decline in labor productivity.

Relationship between occupational stress and presenteeism status among workers in small and medium-sized enterprises

This study aimed to identify characteristics of workers experiencing health problems without a decline in labor productivity to address presenteeism. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 554 workers in Japan, with a median age of 43 years. Participants reported any health problems in the past month, along with job stressors, stress responses, social support, and job and life satisfaction using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. They were categorized into three groups: “no symptoms,” “pre-presenteeism” (health problems without work impact), and “presenteeism” (health problems with work impact). Results showed that 30.1% were in “prepresenteeism” and 52.0% in “presenteeism.” Stress responses and social support were linked to both “pre-presenteeism” and “presenteeism,” while job stressors and job and life satisfaction were only associated with “presenteeism.” These findings offer insights for preventing presenteeism.

A longitudinal study of the influence of work characteristics, work-family status, and social activities on problem drinking: the Japanese civil servants study.

Problem drinking causes a decline in labor productivity among working population. This study examined whether work characteristics, work-family status, and social activities are associated with future problem drinking behavior among Japanese civil servants. A total of 1,535 participants (men: 63.1%, women: 36.9%) with no problem drinking behavior were followed up from 2014 to 2019. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors associated with future problem drinking behavior. During the five-year follow-up period, the cumulative incidence of problem drinking was 9.6% and 5.8% in men and women, respectively. In both men and women, frequent drinking around three times a week or more and alcohol consumption of two units or more at baseline were associated with future problem drinking. In men, compared with low-grade employees, high-grade employees were less likely to become problem drinkers (OR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.33-0.95). Shift workers were significantly associated with the incidence of problem drinking (OR: 2.96, 95% CI: 1.46-6.00). In women, poor own work performance was significantly associated with problem drinking (OR: 5.30, 95% CI: 1.57-17.86). In conclusion, disadvantaged work characteristics are associated with the development of problem drinking. To prevent problem drinking, attention should be paid to poor work characteristics.

Economic Costs of Work Stoppages Caused by the COVID-19 Outbreak

AbstractThis study explores the economic costs of work stoppages resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. It utilizes a global multiregional dynamic computable general equilibrium model and finds that the higher the proportion of labor compensation in the initial factor distribution, the greater the economic damage. Macroeconomic loss was characterized by a monotonically increasing function, with developed countries potentially incurring greater losses than developing countries. The COVID-19 pandemic had significant negative impacts on the global labor market, with a decline in labor productivity; the cumulative global economic loss in 2020–2022 surpassed $10.4 trillion, of which the EU, the USA, and China contributed 30.44%, 18.74%, and 15.44%, respectively. Countries’ anti-epidemic responses showed great heterogeneity, with South Korea and China’s actions showing the dual advantages of protecting the economy and lives, whereas the EU failed to protect either lives or the economy. This article argues that it was necessary to adopt strict quarantine measures to control the spread of the virus in the early stages of the epidemic, but with a drop in the case fatality rate and the introduction of vaccinations, strict control measures had to be removed to protect the economy.

Economic mechanism of agricultural sector and regions modernization

The main purpose of the article is to consider the issues related to the digitalization of agrarian industries: the main mechanisms of support from the state in their development, the decline in labor productivity, the possibilities of wider digital implementation of innovative technologies. The authors identify the main ways and mechanisms for solving the problems of the country's agro-industrial complex development by priority stages. The National Project on the development of agro-industrial complex in Kazakhstan for 2021–2025 reflects a number of topical issues, establishing the main framework for its implementation. It is important to address the issues of modernization and diversification in the agricultural sector in order to improve the level of socio-economic development of the country. The results of modernization are reflected in the financial resources in both economic directions and generation, which affects the investment indicators. The most significant factors of modernization of the agro-industrial complex of Kazakhstan at different levels have been identified. On their basis, the key directions of agro-industrial complex development are proposed and justified. The results of the study include conclusions and points of view of modern authors-specialists in this field. Several conclusions and programs to ensure the stability of socio-economic development of the country, including regulation of food prices, are fully differentiated.

Extra‐EU immigrants and labour productivity: New evidence from Italian firms

AbstractThis paper investigates the impact of extra‐EU workers on labour productivity in Italy. To this aim, we take advantage of firm‐level data derived from the Rilevazione Imprese e Lavoro (RIL‐AIDA) surveys merged with the AIDA‐Bureau Van Dijk archive over the period 2007–2015. Using an econometric strategy that accounts for firms' observed heterogeneity and endogeneity issues, we obtain the following results. First, an increase in the share of extra‐EU workers leads to a decline in labour productivity. Second, the relationship between extra‐EU workers and productivity appears to be different between firms located in centre‐north and those in southern regions. Third, the share of extra‐EU workers is also associated with a decline in average wages and sales per employee, even though this effect is less than that observed for productivity. Our findings support the hypothesis that the demand of immigrants arises as a labour cost reduction strategy and hence tends to weaken firms' competitiveness.

Welfare-improving policy on medical tourism and labor productivity: A theoretical analysis

This paper considers welfare and wage inequality effects of developing medical tourism on the host country from a theoretical point of view. Due to the competition between public healthcare provision and medical tourism, the development of medical tourism might reduce labor productivity and thus widen wage inequality via the increased wage rates of healthcare workers and decreased wage rates of production workers. In addition, the expansion of medical tourism can lower social welfare of the host country through a decline in labor productivity caused by reduced public healthcare provision. A tax-subsidy welfare-improving scheme is suggested to mitigate the unfavorable productivity effect of medical tourism on the host economy. This theoretical result fits into current empirical evidence on medical tourism.

Comfort and performance improvement through the use of cooling vests for construction workers

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyze the question “In what order of magnitude does the comfort and performance improvement lie with the use of a cooling vest for construction workers?”.Design/methodology/approachThe use of personal cooling systems, in the form of cooling vests, is not only intended to reduce the heat load, in order to prevent disruption of the thermoregulation system of the body, but also to improve work performance. A calculation study was carried out on the basis of four validated mathematical models, namely a cooling vest model, a thermophysiological human model, a dynamic thermal sensation model and a performance loss model for construction workers.FindingsThe use of a cooling vest has a significant beneficial effect on the thermal sensation and the loss of performance, depending on the thermal load on the body.Research limitations/implicationsEach cooling vest can be characterized on the basis of the maximum cooling power (Pmax; in W/m²), the cooling capacity (Auc; in Wh/m2) and the time (tc; in minutes) after which the cooling power is negligible. In order to objectively compare cooling vests, a (preferably International and/or European) standard/guideline must be compiled to determine the cooling power and the cooling capacity of cooling vests.Practical implicationsIt is recommended to implement the use of cooling vests in the construction process so that employees can use them if necessary or desired.Social implicationsClimate change, resulting in global warming, is one of the biggest problems of present times. Rising outdoor temperatures will continue in the 21st century, with a greater frequency and duration of heat waves. Some regions of the world are more affected than others. Europe is one of the regions of the world where rising global temperatures will adversely affect public health, especially that of the labor force, resulting in a decline in labor productivity. It will be clear that in many situations air conditioning is not an option because it does not provide sufficient cooling or it is a very expensive investment; for example, in the situation of construction work. In such a situation, personal cooling systems, such as cooling vests, can be an efficient and financially attractive solution to the problem of discomfort and heat stress.Originality/valueThe value of the study lies in the link between four validated mathematical models, namely a cooling vest model, a thermophysiological human model, a dynamic thermal sensation model and a performance loss model for construction workers.

Financial Integration, Technology Transfer, Labor Productivity Growth and Economic Growth on Pre-and-During COVID-19 Crisis: Evidence from G20 Countries

This study investigates the role of financial integration, technology transfer, and labor productivity growth in economic growth pre-and-during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The data collected is panel data from 20 countries of the G20 in the period 2018Q4–2021Q1. By using fixed-effects regression, the results showed that foreign direct investment had a significant effect on economic growth during the COVID-19 crisis, while foreign portfolio investment did not. Furthermore, labor productivity growth has been proven to play a role in moderating foreign portfolio investment, foreign direct investment, and technology transfer in pre-crisis economic growth. However, entering into the COVID-19 crisis stage, labor productivity growth is no longer proven to be moderating, due to a major lockdown policy that led to a decline in labor productivity. This study contributes to helping policymakers with various considerations and sets realistic expectations about the role of financial integration and technology transfer in the recovery of economic growth due to the global crisis.

THE INTENSITY OF IMPACT OF LABOR SUPPLY REDUCTION ONTO THE GROWTH OF WAGES IN REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA

The aim of this research is to determine the level of intensity of the impact of labor supply reduction onto the growth of wages in Republic of Srpska. Simple linear regression is the main tool that is used in this research. The model of the relationship is established between two variables, the labor supply reduction and growth of wages in order to draw conclusions about the behavior of one, based on the behavior of the other variable. Concerning the results, we have seen that there is a marked reduction in labor supply at the level of the entire economy of Republika Srpska and a significant growth of wages. More importantly, the wage growth is very strongly influenced by labor supply reduction. By statistical regression analysis, we have determined the statistically significant, strong impact of the reduction of labor supply on wage growth (y = -0.004x + 2365.3; R=-0.91; R2=0.83; p0.01). There is a general trend of wage growth that the pandemic crisis has not stopped and which will certainly continue in the post-crisis period. However, the key question is whether this kind of growth is sustainable. Unfortunately, there is a decline in labor productivity. The decline in gross value added per worker or labor productivity has been more or less pronounced in the three observed years. Current wage growth, with declining productivity, is not sustainable in the long run. If things with productivity remain as they have been for the three observed years and if the wage growth continues, it will inevitably lead to reduced competitiveness of the economy. The RS economy can avoid this trap if productivity starts to rise again. Improving productivity requires large investments in knowledge and technology, and companies need public sector support in this area.

On the Analysis of Factors Causing Labor Productivity Decline as an Element in Evaluating the Operating Efficiency of Air Transport Organizations

Aim. The presented study aims to determine the impact of factors causing labor productivity decline on the operating efficiency of air transport organizations.Tasks. The authors examine the types of factors influencing the level of labor productivity among different employee categories in air transport enterprises; identify external and internal factors and measures aimed at reducing their negative impact when analyzing the operating efficiency of air transport enterprises.Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition in various aspects to examine economic factors causing labor efficiency decline among production and management staff.Results. The impact of regulatory documents of various levels on labor efficiency decline in air transport organizations is investigated. The behavior of management personnel in conflict situations is analyzed as one of the factors reducing labor productivity at the enterprise. The most typical causes of conflict escalation in an organization are described and methods for preventing them or mitigating their destructive consequences are proposed.Conclusions. Analyzing labor efficiency as part of a comprehensive economic analysis of enterprise activities is crucial for the further development of the aviation business. Labor efficiency analysis involves identifying the causes of labor productivity decline and possible directions for finding ways to prevent their negative impact. In addition to economic factors, which are manifested in the adoption of legal standards, it is necessary to take measures aimed at mitigating the impact of socio-psychological factors.

ВОВЛЕЧЕННОСТЬ ПЕРСОНАЛА КАК ОДНО ИЗ БАЗОВЫХ УСЛОВИЙ ВОЗОБНОВЛЕНИЯ УСТОЙЧИВОГО ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОГО РОСТА

The article analyzes the key moment of labor productivity growth - personnel involvement. It is said that the demand for personnel involvement at the current stage of economic development does not have effective methods of replacement. A complex of reasons is considered that caused a decline in labor productivity and, at the same time, caused the displacement of personnel from the sphere of social production. It is noted that the labor market today requires not just involved employees with professional skills, but teams of involved employees with collective project thinking based on independent, autonomous and creative activities. Despite the fact that the transition towards involvement has taken place, there is no single way or tools to increase the level of personnel involvement today, and involvement continues to remain an unaccounted for development factor, which generally reflects the transitional nature of the domestic economy. The work formulates a typical profile of an engaged and uninvolved employee, identifies the reasons, indicators and signs of involvement. Particular importance in the composition of involvement is given to the creative self-realization of employees. It is said that any limitation of the possibilities for self-realization of an employee inevitably leads to a specific change not only in the personality of the employee (due to the fact that a set of attitudes towards himself, his role and his place in the organization is developed), but also to a change in the priorities of activities, value orientations (preferences), its dynamic variability and uncertainty. The study notes the relationship between personnel involvement and the anti-crisis personnel management system.

Technique for accounting for the decrease in labor productivity due to workspace overcrowding

In civil engineering, delays are ubiquitous. They cause significant economic damage. One way to prevent deadline disruption is to lower the duration of tasks by increasing the number of workers on critical path activities. However, when the number of workers increases above a certain level, the duration stops decreasing due to the interference between workers that occurs in a limited work space. This situation is called “work space overcrowding”. To determine the number of workers at which work space overcrowding occurs, as well as to improve activity scheduling accuracy, the author has developed a technique for accounting for labor productivity decline due to work space overcrowding. During the development of this technique, an analysis of existing approaches was carried out. Their shortcomings in practice are revealed. Then, the factors of productivity decline associated with overcrowding are identified. These factors are divided into two categories: “spatial” and “socio-psychological”. Two models are developed based on a mathematical formalization of these categories. The criterion for choosing between the two models is the intensity of workers' movements. The technique was successfully verified using peer review by specialists in nuclear power plant construction. It was found that the technique accurately reflects the general nature of labor productivity dependence on the number of workers: constant levels of productivity up to a certain number, followed by decreasing levels of productivity, at accelerating rates, above that number. However, application of the technique provides only a rough approximation of this dependence in quantitative terms. This is compensated for by the technique’s simplicity, requiring a limited number of inputs to produce a meaningful result. Finally, applying the technique to two specific cases, a recommended limit of the increase in the number of workers is determined for both. In the future, the technique can be applied to a wider range of construction activities.

Construction Tradespeople Perception of the Factors Motivating Labour Productivity on Construction Projects

Construction productivity defines the wealth of a nation as well as the well-being of its citizenry, because it plays a critical rolein the overall economic development of a nation. However, there has been a reported decline in labour productivity which has led to poor delivery of construction projects. This issue has been among the leadingcauses of schedule and cost overruns, quality issues, claims and conflicts, especially in key capital construction projects globally.Poor labour productivity is attributed to the reaction of workers on certain factors. The purpose of this study is to assess construction tradespeople perception of the factors motivating labour productivity on construction projects. To achieve this purpose, semi-structured interview and questionnaire, and a stratified purposeful sampling technique was adopted to gather data from construction tradespeople in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Datagathered through survey from106construction tradespeople, were analysed using frequencies, percentage and factor analysis.The data gathered from 25 interviewees were analysed using thematic analysis. The study concluded that major factors motivating construction tradespeople productivity on construction projects are knowledge and salary-related factors; job security and planning related factors; health, safety and promotion related factor;overtime and work area condition; team building and equipment factors; supervision and recognition factors; management and teamwork factors; and materials and work methods.Furthermore, the implication of the role of financial and non-financial motivatorsis brought to the fore in ensuring improved and sustainable labour productivity on construction projects.The study recommended that construction organisations should utilise a good mix of financial and non-financial productivity motivators in getting thebest out of their employees, especially the site operatives.

The clinical status and working capacity in patients included in the All-Russian Psoriatic Arthritis Registry

Objective: to study the clinical characteristics of PsA and working capacity in patients included in the All-Russian PsA Registry.Patients and methods. The investigation enrolled 614 patients aged 19–84 years with psoriasis from 39 subjects the Russian Federation, who were followed up in the All-Russian PsA Registry. On the basis of the assessment of demographic data, the spectrum of comorbidities, the degree of activity of the underlying disease according to Disease Activity Index for PsA (DAPSA) and Disease Activity in 28 joints (DAS28), clinical, functional, and social indicators were analyzed in the patients. The investigators studied information on the patients employment, working capacity, and disability, by assessing the group of the latter. The health status and the presence and severity of functional impairment in the patients were analyzed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), while their working efficiency was estimated according to the Workers Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: Specific Health Problem (WPAI-SHP questionnaire), by calculating the following parameters: absenteeism, presenteeism, an overall decrease in labor productivity, and impairment in daily functional activity.Results and discussion. The analysis of the All-Russian PsA Registry showed that most of them were of working age (30 to 59 years); 48.4% had concomitant diseases. Data on DAPSA changes were obtained in 349 patients, who were recorded to have mainly moderate (34.7%) or high (42.7%) disease activity, multiple dactylitides and enthesitides, and limited joint function. The registry reflects information on the social status of 521 patients: employed (61.2%) and unemployed (22.1%) persons, pensioners (15.2%), and students (1.5%). More than one third (37.1%) of patients with PsA had disability, mainly of Group III. The changes in the HAQ disability index were assessed in 326 patients; mild, moderate, and severe functional impairments were observed in 36, 26.4, and 3.7%, respectively. Absenteeism was detected in less than one third of patients with PsA, presenteeism was found in about half; there was an overall decrease in labor productivity in more than 60% and daily activity impairment in 68.8%. Statistically significant direct moderate correlations were established between the indicators of PsA activity (DAPSA and DAS28) and the level of productivity impairment in the patients; this was mostly related to an overall decline in labor productivity and to a decrease in daily activity.Conclusion. The data obtained from real clinical practice suggest that half of the PsA patients had high disease activity and a third had severe functional impairment, which led to a lower quality of life and to disability. The overall decrease in labor productivity and daily activity, which was detected in more than half of the patients, was associated with high PsA activity. The follow-up in the All-Russian PsA Registry, regular anti-inflammatory therapy with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biological agents can improve the clinical and functional status and, consequently, working capacity in patients with PsA.

Income shares, secular stagnation and the long‐run distribution of wealth

AbstractFour alarming stylized facts have recently emerged in the United States: (a) a decline in the labor share of income; (b) a decline in labor productivity; (c) an increase in the top 1% wealth share and (d) an increase in the capital‐income ratio. In Capital in the XXI Century, Thomas Piketty's argument is that the r > g inequality determines an increase in the capital‐income ratio; if the elasticity of substitution in production is above one, the profit share rises. We provide a contrasting explanation that draws from the Post Keynesian approach to differential saving propensities between classes and the Classical‐Marxian theory of induced technical change. In a simple model of “capitalists” and “workers,” we show that institutional changes that lower the labor share—declining unionization, increasing monopsony power in the labor market, the global ‘race to the bottom' in unit labor costs or the exhaustion of path‐breaking scientific discoveries—can reduce labor productivity growth because of the lessened incentives to innovate to save on labor costs. A falling labor share reduces workers' total savings, and wealth concentrates in the capitalists' hands. A higher profit share and wealth share both put pressure on accumulation: but the long‐run growth rate, which is anchored to labor productivity growth, has fallen. To restore balanced growth, the capital‐income ratio must rise, independent of the elasticity of substitution. These tendencies are not inevitable: taxation can be used to implement any wealth distribution targeted by policymakers, while worker‐crushing institutional arrangements can also in principle be reversed through policy. Neither change appears likely given the current institutional and global policy climate.

Trajectory of Steady Growth or Next Disbalance of Mechanisms of the World Economy

Main objective of the article – assessment of problems and opportunities of speeding up of world economic growth in the context of the crisis phenomena and turbulence in economy. Complication and reformatting of the economic relations between the countries represents serious challenges for modern economic dynamics. Methodological approach of the authors is based on assessment of the defining influence of new factors on delay of economic activity and economic development. The thesis about the defining impact of international trade on economic growth is called into question. It was analyzed the value and a role of the international companies as growth catalysts in the conditions of new technological revolution. It is established that risks of development of the world economy continue to increase, and the main of them – in decline in labor productivity in the developed countries, uncertainty concerning interest rates and economic policy of the states, the universal growth of sovereign and corporate debt of the states. It is shown that China has the increasing problems with the growth; however the flexibility of its economic policy allows to connect additional mechanisms of speeding up of social and economic development. In the European Union economic growth depends on the solution of problems of consolidation of the budgetary process, decrease in a debt, and in general – on reforming of the existing model of social and economic development. Prospects of economic dynamics will depend in many respects on stability of trade relations between the countries, and on the effective international cooperation directed to overcoming imbalances of the modern world economy. Opportunities and problems of an exit of developing countries to a trajectory of sustained economic growth in the conditions of digitalization and digital transformations in the world economy are estimated. Aggravation of a problem of inequality in the conditions of digitalization of the world economy is possible to overcome, however a number of measures in the sphere of industrial, innovative and regulatory policy is necessary. Also at the international level serious reforms in the sphere of financial regulation and taxation are necessary. The conclusions received as a result of the research have important practical importance as overcoming the problems stated above and also trade political differences between the countries will make economic growth steady and inclusive.

Labor Productivity and Economic Growth in a Hydrocarbon-Dependent Economy: The Algerian Case, 1984–2015

This paper addresses the empirical question of whether productivity can help explain the economic growth dynamics in Algeria over the period from 1984 to 2015. The first aim of this article is to measure the productivity for both the economy as a whole and for different sectors. Then, original estimates of the capital stock are made using the permanent inventory method, which enables the evolutions of the total factor productivity to be inferred. On the basis of these estimates, it is shown that, while the Algerian economy as a whole performed fairly well in terms of economic growth, this was more the result of an increase in production factors, i.e., labor force, than of labor productivity growth, which was very limited. This partly reflects the weak performance of the hydrocarbons sector, which has experienced a decline in labor productivity since the early 2000s, while other sectors such as agriculture have experienced strong productivity gains.

Effects of Increasing Aridity on Ambient Dust and Public Health in the U.S. Southwest Under Climate Change.

The U.S. Southwest is projected to experience increasing aridity due to climate change. We quantify the resulting impacts on ambient dust levels and public health using methods consistent with the Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Change Impacts and Risk Analysis framework. We first demonstrate that U.S. Southwest fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM2.5‐10) dust levels are strongly sensitive to variability in the 2‐month Standardized Precipitation‐Evapotranspiration Index across southwestern North America. We then estimate potential changes in dust levels through 2099 by applying the observed sensitivities to downscaled meteorological output projected by six climate models following an intermediate (Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5, RCP4.5) and a high (RCP8.5) greenhouse gas concentration scenario. By 2080–2099 under RCP8.5 relative to 1986–2005 in the U.S. Southwest: (1) Fine dust levels could increase by 57%, and fine dust‐attributable all‐cause mortality and hospitalizations could increase by 230% and 360%, respectively; (2) coarse dust levels could increase by 38%, and coarse dust‐attributable cardiovascular mortality and asthma emergency department visits could increase by 210% and 88%, respectively; (3) climate‐driven changes in dust concentrations can account for 34–47% of these health impacts, with the rest due to increases in population and baseline incidence rates; and (4) economic damages of the health impacts could total $47 billion per year additional to the 1986–2005 value of $13 billion per year. Compared to national‐scale climate impacts projected for other U.S. sectors using the Climate Change Impacts and Risk Analysis framework, dust‐related mortality ranks fourth behind extreme temperature‐related mortality, labor productivity decline, and coastal property loss.

Shifts in U.S. Manufacturing after the Great Recession

Though U.S. manufacturing output recovered more slowly from the Great Recession than historical experience would have predicted, manufacturing employment, which peaked in 1979, grew between 2010 and 2017. This was the second-longest period of employment growth in the entire post-war period. Linking these developments was an historically unprecedented, protracted absolute decline in labor productivity. This essay provides an overview of these puzzling aggregate developments and of the diverse industry-level changes they summarize. The roles of foreign competition, mis-measurement of real output, and the computer industry are explored, and the value of looking within multi-industry aggregates like manufacturing is illustrated.