Distribution Of GDP Research Articles

Comparing Labour Productivity Growth in the OECD Area: The Role of Measurement

This paper examines how measurement problems affect international comparisons of labour productivity. It suggests that these measurement problems do not significantly affect the assessment of aggregate productivity patterns in the OECD area. However, these problems do influence the more detailed assessment of productivity growth, notably the role of specific sectors and demand components in aggregate performance. The paper shows that there are only a few significant problems regarding the comparability of nominal GDP across OECD countries, the most important being the treatment of software investment. In most cases, efforts are underway to reduce the size of these differences. Measurement differences for real GDP are also important, although several of these factors have impacts that work in different directions. Moreover, several of these problems primarily affect the distribution of total GDP across different expenditure categories and across different activities, not necessarily ... Comparaisons de la croissance de la productivite de la main-d'œuvre au niveau de la zone de l'OCDE : L'importance des questions de mesure Le present document examine en quoi les problemes de mesure affectent les comparaisons internationales de la productivite de la main-d’œuvre. Il montre que ces problemes n’ont pas de repercussions notables sur l’evaluation du profil general d’evolution de la productivite dans la zone de l’OCDE. Par contre, ils ont une influence des lors qu’on veut pousser plus avant l’analyse de la croissance de la productivite, notamment determiner la part qui est imputable a un secteur particulier ou a telle ou telle composante de la demande. Les auteurs observent que la comparabilite entre pays de l’OCDE des donnees sur le PIB nominal souleve peu de problemes importants et que le principal de ces derniers est lie au traitement des investissements en logiciels. Dans la plupart des cas, des efforts sont deployes pour reduire l’ampleur de ces divergences. Les disparites au niveau de la mesure du PIB reel sont egalement importantes, meme si elles ne jouent pas toutes dans la meme direction. Qui plus ...

La dynamique des disparités régionales dans l'Union Européenne, 1980-1995

Résumé L’objectif de cet article est d’analyser la dynamique des disparités régionales dans l’Union Européenne sur la période 1980-1995 en se basant sur un échantillon de 138 régions. Premièrement, l’évolution de la forme de la distribution des PIB par tête est caractérisée par un test de a-convergence et par l’estimation non-paramétrique de fonctions de densité. Deuxièmement, le processus de croissance est modélisé à l’aide d’une chaîne de Markov de premier ordre et stationnaire. Troisièmement, l’influence de l’environnement géographique est analysée à l’aide d’une chaîne de Markov spatiale. Les résultats indiquent la persistance des disparités régionales, un biais progressif vers une trappe à pauvreté et l’importance de l’espace dans le processus de convergence.

Convergence Across Italian Regions and the Role of Technological Catch-Up

This paper suggests that the main (and possibly unique) source of beta- and omega- convergence in GDP per worker (i.e. labor productivity) across Italian regions over the 1980-2000 period is the change in technical and allocative efficiency, i.e. convergence in relative TFP levels. To reach this conclusion, I construct an approximation of the production frontier at different points in time using Data Envelope Analysis (DEA), and measure efficiency as the output-based distance from the frontier. This method is entirely data-driven, and does not require the specification of any particular functional form for technology. Changes in GDP per worker can be decomposed in changes in relative efficiency, changes due to overall technological progress, and changes due to capital deepening. My results suggest that: (i) differences in relative TFP are quantitatively important; (ii) while technological progress and capital deepening are the main, and equally important, forces behind the rightward shift in the distribution of GDP per worker, convergence in relative TFP is the main determinant of the change in the distribution's shape.

Twentieth Century Shocks, Trends and Cycles in Industrialized Nations

Using annual data on real Gross Domestic Product per capita of seventeen industrialized nations in the twentieth century the empirical relevance of shocks, trends and cycles is investigated. A class of neural network models is specified as an extension of the class of vector autoregressive models in order to capture complex data patterns for different countries and subperiods. Empirical evidence indicates nonlinear positive trends in the levels of real GDP per capita, time varying growth rates, switching behavior of individual countries with respect to their position in the distribution of real GDP per capita levels over time. Such evidence presents challenges for economic modelling, forecasting and policy analysis for the long run.

On the Evolution of the World Income Distribution

The post-World War II period has seen substantial changes in the distribution of GDP per worker around the world. In the upper half of the distribution, a number of countries have exhibited large increases in income relative to the richest countries. In the bottom half, several countries have seen incomes fall relative to the richest countries. The net result of these changes is a movement in the shape of the world income distribution from something that looks like a normal distribution in 1960 to a bi-modal twin-peaks distribution in 1988. Projecting these changes into the future suggests a number of interesting findings. First, it seems likely that the U.S. will lose its position as the country with the highest level of GDP per worker. Second, growth miracles have been more common in recent decades than growth disasters. If these dynamics continue, the future income distribution will involve far more rich countries and far fewer poor countries than currently observed.

Testing for convergence: evidence from non‐parametric multimodality tests

In this paper, we test the convergence hypothesis in a cross-section of 119 countries by means of bootstrap multimodality tests and nonparametric density estimation techniques. By looking at the density distribution of GDP across countries in 1970, 1980 and 1989, we find low mobility patterns of intra-distribution dynamics and increasing evidence for bimodality. The findings stand in sharp contrast with the convergence prediction. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Testing for convergence: evidence from non-parametric multimodality tests

In this paper, we test the convergence hypothesis in a cross-section of 119 countries by means of bootstrap multimodality tests and nonparametric density estimation techniques. By looking at the density distribution of GDP across countries in 1970, 1980 and 1989, we find low mobility patterns of intra-distribution dynamics and increasing evidence for bimodality. The findings stand in sharp contrast with the convergence prediction. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

An inter-country comparison of patenting activity

Data for 34 countries for patents in force, R&D expenditure per capita, R&D expenditure as a percentage of GNP, and scientists/engineers per 1000 of population indicate highly skewed distributions for these variables. Patents in force are significantly correlated with scientists/engineers per 1000 of population. However, patents in force are negatively correlated with R&D expenditure as a percentage of GNP, as well as distribution of GDP to industry.

The complex regulation of receptor-coupled G-proteins

Heterotrimeric G-proteins are associated with the cytoplasmic surface of the cell membrane as oligomeric structures. The oligomeric structures were deduced from a variety of studies including target (irradiation) analysis, hydrodynamic evaluation of detergent extracted material, and cross-linking of G-proteins in their membrane environment. From the functional mass determined by target analysis, it was estimated that one receptor (for glucagon) is associated with 8–10 units of Gs, the heterotrimeric G-protein that stimulates adenylyl cyclase. It is proposed that the receptor associates with each monomer of the chain via weak and strong binding forces that are dictated according to whether either GTP or GDP is bound to the α-subunits (weak forces) or, due to the hormone-induced release of the nucleotides during the exchange reaction, these subunits become transiently devoid of nucleotides (strong forces). The hormone-induced changes in type and degree of nucleotide binding allow for movement of the receptor along the oligomeric chain and filling of the nucleotide binding sites with the activating nucleotide, GTP. In this manner, the receptor catalytically activates Gs. It is suggested that the dynamic instability of the oligomeric chain produced by the asymmetric distribution of GTP and GDP along the chain results in release of a GTP-monomer from one end and association of a GDP-monomer at the opposite end. Adenylyl cyclase associates with the released GTP-monomer inducing a transient state of the coupled proteins. In a Mg-dependent fashion, hydrolysis of GTP occurs resulting in re-organization of the coupled proteins such that α and βγinteract with distinct domains of the cyclase molecule. The final state of the coupled process determines the degree of cyclase activity. Release of Pi from its binding site restores association of α and βγto the GDP-bound form of the heterotrimer. The latter associates with the oligomeric structure of G-proteins to complete the cycle of events in the overall process of hormonal activation of the system.

Changes in the Structure and Distribution of Russian GDP in the 1990s

The author, a noted Japanese observer of Soviet and post-Soviet economic affairs, examines System of National Accounts data for the Russian Federation in order to analyze changes in the structure and distribution of Russian GDP during the six-year period commencing in 1989. The study, based in part on first-hand investigation in Moscow in late 1995 and on hitherto unpublished raw data, represents an initial attempt to examine the methodology underlying the compilation of Russian System of National Accounts statistics, which the Russian Government began to publish only recently. A distinct focus is on GDP by sector of origin and by end use, and on distribution of income. 9 tables, 22 references. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: O11, O47, P24.

The Development of the Greek Economy, 1950–1991: An Historical, Empirical and Econometric Analysis (review)

Reviews 147 George A. Jouganatos, TL· Development of tL· Greek Economy, 1950-1991: An Historical, Empirical and Econometric Analysis. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. 1992. Pp. xi + 250. $59.95. There has been hardly any comprehensive research on the relationship between political and economic development in postwar Greece. Studies of politics and economics have gone separate ways by remaining witiiin their distinct epistemological domains. In this respect Jouganatos's book is a pleasant surprise, as it attempts to pose and confront a number of highly pertinent questions on the relation between economic progress and specific types of governmental regimes. Such a project, however, involves complex methodological questions, which becomes evident at the outset. The book's central hypothesis is "that economic development was hindered during undemocratic conditions." Such conditions existed under "rightwing governments" (3). In order to substantiate such an argument, the author separates 1950-1991 into five distinct periods. The political, social, and economic policies of each period are evaluated separately in terms of their impact on the economy while each period's internal and external constraints upon economic development are also considered. Government policies and the political structure of each period are then evaluated according to whether they "helped or hindered the process of economic development." The author contends that Greece's economic development progressed satisfactorily only when the strong left wing had been contained. The proposed hypothesis raises a number of crucial methodological questions. Regarding "economic development," Jouganatos chooses to give a general definition and to include a number of indices such as the composition of output, the allocation of inputs by sector, the distribution of income, independence from foreign interference in domestic policies, and social welfare indices" (6-7). Regarding periodization and the identification of governmental regimes, there are no conceptual definitions. It seems as if in the earlier period the criterion of political regime (1950-1966 and 1967-1974) was used, while in the more recent period the criterion was the political party in office (1975-1981, 1982-1988, 1989-1991). Economic performance is evaluated in all cases according to some general macroeconomic indices such as GDP growth, sectoral distribution of GDP, national income, income distribution, price and wage levels, balance of payments and trade, government income and expenditure, investment and credit, and social welfare spending. The "internal and external" constraints upon development are presented for every period, followed by a description of the general political framework and the economic policy priorities and targets set by "official" government planning. The evaluation then proceeds by examining actual economic performance in relation to a loose framework that includes the "potential for development" and the "effectiveness" of economic policies. Such an approach leads to certain concluding statements about whether political structures and government policies "facilitated or hindered" the economic development process in each period. 148 Reviews The period between 1950 and 1966 (Chapter 2) is seen as facilitating strong economic growth and fostering economic development in Greece. Yet the political instability and social unrest that resulted from the oppressive actions of the right-wing state apparatus caused the loss of "potential development " (217). In terms of economic policies, three phases are identified. In the first, the early 1950s, contractionary policies prevailed, while in the second, from the late 1950s until the early 1960s, stimulatory policies were dominant. Yet, while these policies "fostered economic growth, they did little in terms of economic development" (4). In the third phase, 1963-1966, despite the prevalence of "undemocratic conditions" (right-wing political and military structures), the policies of the Center Union to diminish income inequality and increase import substitution "continued to support strong economic growth and most importantly, contributed to economic development" (4). During the junta period (Chapter 3), economic growth, per capita consumption and savings continued to increase steadily, while trade structure improved with the growth of industrial exports and imports. But the growth of private investment was dampened and even fell in 1967 and 1974, and income distribution became more inequitable. The standards of living and productivity could have been improved had the junta not sharply increased defense spending at the expense of health and education expenditures (92). The pattern of economic growth indicates that tourism and construction, rather than manufacturing...