Level Of Labor Productivity Research Articles

ІНВЕСТИЦІЙНА ФУНКЦІЯ ЗАРОБІТНОЇ ПЛАТИ: ОЦІНЮВАННЯ ВИКОНАННЯ В УКРАЇНІ

Assessing the state of wages in the country is an important element of social and economic policies, as it characterizes the standard of living of the population, income differentiation and purchasing power. Salary is an important criterion of labor productivity and characterizes the country's competitiveness. The article is devoted to the study of the level of wages in Ukraine from the standpoint of performance of the investment function. The amount of wages in Ukraine remains a debatable issue for the scientific community and requires clarification of such an important issue as the ability of wages to create opportunities for human development. The question arises: does the salary perform an investment function. The purpose of the article was to substantiate the importance of the investment function of wages and to study its implementation in Ukraine for the improvement of income policy, economic and social development. The assessment of wages from the standpoint of the investment function is carried out according to the following indicators: population expenditures, savings level, development costs, the level of population participation in the accumulative pension system, etc. The conducted analysis showed that the level of wages in Ukraine lags far behind the level in the EU countries, which indicates an imperfect system of labor remuneration and a low level of labor productivity. The given data are proof that wages in Ukraine do not meet the expectations of the population to ensure a comfortable standard of living, and sometimes the satisfaction of basic needs, which negatively affects the investment behavior of a person. Failure to fulfill the investment function of wages in Ukraine does not create prerequisites for increasing labor productivity and innovative development. The importance of research in the direction of strengthening the investment function of wages is due to the fact that it creates prerequisites for human development, contributes to raising the standard of living and forms resources for increasing the country's competitiveness. The results of the conducted research create the basis for improving the income policy and economic development in Ukraine.

Robots and the productivity of local manufacturing systems in Emilia-Romagna: the mediating role of occupational similarity and complexity

ABSTRACT During the last decade, a growing literature has been assessing the impact of industrial robots on productivity and employment. At the local level, the labour-displacing effect of robot adoption can be counterbalanced by a task reallocation between manufacturing industries characterized by similar/related occupational spaces. This reallocation process can be also influenced by the average degree of occupational complexity of the local labour markets. To test for the mediating role of similarity and complexity in the robot-employment-productivity relationship, we develop a two-step analysis mixing information from different data sources on 15 industries and 39 local labour market areas of the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy, for the period 2008–2017. Our analysis shows that higher exposure to robots does not affect the aggregate level of labour productivity, but, rather, is associated with a decline in (high routine) employment after three years. We further show that the negative relationship between robots and employment decreases, or even vanishes, in local labour markets with high cross-industry occupational similarity and low occupational or task complexity, and within industrial districts.

Соціальні наслідки дефолтів

The article examines the social consequences that a probable default can have for the country’s population, as well as the essence of the concept of "default", types of defaults, their causes and consequences for the country’s economy in the short and long term. If a default occurs, it becomes necessary to reduce the budget deficit, i.e. to increase revenues or reduce expenditures. But if the economic situation is difficult, then you should not expect more income. Accordingly, the country reduces spending, which means a reduction in social or investment programs of the state. As a rule, these are capital expenditures that can be reduced relatively imperceptibly for the population. However, the consequences become noticeable in the following periods, as the infrastructure in the country deteriorates. To analyze the consequences of default, three countries - Argentina, Mexico and Russia - were considered. The social consequences of defaults for these countries are suggested to be interpreted by such indicators as the moderate poverty index, the unemployment rate, GDP per employed person, and the Gini coefficient. A comparison of indicators of the level of poverty, unemployment and labor productivity in the period before and after the default was made for these countries. The consequences of Russia’s technical default in 2022 and the impact of sanctions packages on the country’s economy as a result of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine are also analyzed. A state that has declared default will not be able to get new loans, and it loses the confidence of foreign investors. This will reduce the inflow of currency into the country, which will lead to the depreciation of the national currency. By the way, the currency reaching its peak values is a standard phenomenon for countries after the announcement of default. In addition, since the impossibility of obtaining new loans and attracting investments for business will make taxes the only source of filling the budget, social programs (in particular, subsidies), benefits and pensions will be the first to be cut. At the same time, the default is accompanied by sharp inflation, which makes the goods of domestic exporters more competitive. If the country, after announcing the default, was able to get out of the crisis, and even better – its economy shows growth, then the default can be considered successful. The main task of the default for a certain time is to reduce the tax burden. However, it is necessary to understand several important things. Since, after the declaration of default, the inflow of foreign investments will either stop completely or will be greatly reduced, the correct distribution of taxes as the only source of filling the state budget is very important. The exchange rate of the national currency begins to fall, because the inflow of investments decreases. At the same time, some investors who invested or were going to invest in private companies in this country are trying to withdraw their dividends or abandon their investments. That is, there is a decrease in the exchange rate and a decrease in economic growth.

SPEAKING COMPETENCE AS A NECESSARY COMPONENT OF COMPETITIVE TRAINING SPECIALISTS IN UNIVERSITIES OF UKRAINE

Modernization of educational activities in Ukraine in the context of European standards – is primarily raising training quality and competitive professionals, compliance with European labor market conditions for the free movement of students in Ukraine and Europe. Creating the conditions for competitive advantage in the world is the main condition for economic and social stability in Ukraine. Expected changes are possible only if the level of labor productivity, which in turn depends on the presence in the domestic labor market modern highly qualified specialists. Thus, any transformations in economy is impossible without reforming and modernizing training competitive specialists. Upgrading of educational activities in Ukraine in the context of European standards – is, first of all, raising competitiveness and quality of training of specialists, matching the European labor market, creating conditions for free movement of students in Ukraine and Europe. Creating conditions for competitive advantage in the world is the main condition for economic and social stability in Ukraine. Expected changes are possible only if the increase in labor productivity, which in turn depends on the presence in the domestic labor market today highly qualified specialists. Consequently, any transformations in the economy are impossible without reform and modernization of training competitive professionals.

Labor productivity in livestock enterprises of Ukraine

Labor productivity is one of the leading indicators of the efficiency of the functioning of enterprises and an indicator of technological development. The level of labor productivity is characterized by the volume of products produced in terms of value or in kind per employee or unit of time spent. In addition, when evaluating the efficiency of labor use, the inverse of labor productivity is used as the indicator of the labor intensity of products, which shows the time spent on the production of a unit of volume or value of products. The article analyzes labor productivity in agricultural enterprises, particularly the livestock industry of Ukraine, for 2010-2020 per 1 employee, in constant prices of 2016. Labor productivity in livestock enterprises by region of Ukraine is studied. The ratio of labor productivity per 1 worker in animal husbandry to the average salary in agriculture per year was determined. The estimated specific weight of labor remuneration with deductions from the cost of produced products in livestock enterprises, as well as the average labor intensity of livestock production by regions of Ukraine in 2020, was calculated. According to the results of the study, it was established that the productivity of labor in the enterprises of the livestock industry during the studied period is growing steadily and, according to the results of 2020, reached UAH 873,000. Based on one employee per year at constant prices of 2016, which is 20,000 hryvnias. More than in crop production. The highest level of labor productivity among livestock enterprises is observed in the Vinnytsia region - at the level of UAH 3.1 million per 1 employee per year. The average indicator of labor intensity in livestock breeding in Ukraine was 2.2 hours per 1 thousand hryvnias cost of products. In enterprises of the Lviv region, this indicator is 10 % lower than the average in Ukraine. The growth of labor productivity in animal husbandry and agriculture primarily leads to a disproportionate change in wages, the specific weight of which in the value of manufactured products grows relatively slower than the level of labor productivity. To increase the level of efficiency in the use of labor in animal husbandry, it is necessary to introduce innovative intensive, resource-saving technologies, increase the volume of production and sale of products, make maximum use of production facilities, mechanize and automate the process of animal breeding, and improve the quality of management.

Технологические уклады, инновации и хозяйственное освоение российской Арктики

The article for the first time made an attempt to adapt the theory of technological modes of S. Glazyev and technical and economic paradigms of K. Perez for highly specific conditions of the economic development of the resources of the Russian Arctic (on the basis of its technological dynamics in the industrial and modern era). Based on dozens resource projects that have been deployed in the Russian Arctic in recent decades, the characteristic features of the new technological order (the fifth Kondratiev), which are described by the triad “platform — shift — marine logistics”, are summarized. These features embody the philosophy of the emerging new economic era in the Russian Arctic, which is based on water / air environments, space autonomy, mobility and flexibility of technological solutions. A comparison of the basic characteristics of the modern and the previous (the third and the fourth) technological modes in the Soviet / Russian Arctic was carried out. The mechanism of the resource crisis emergence in the old industrial regions of the Arctic, which usually precedes the formation of a new technological order, is described. The Arctic innovation cycle phenomenon is described as a gap in time between the geological discovery in the depression phase of the previous Kondratiev and commercial development at the stage of the formation of a new technological order. The Yamal LNG project has been identified as a flagship for a new technological paradigm that sets standards of the best practice for the rest of the Arctic and demonstrates a new, previously unattainable level of labor productivity. The key conflict of the modern Russian Arctic is characterized as a contradiction of interests of subsoil users located in different “structural” realities, for access to limited natural resources (licensed areas of gas, oil and coal fields): LNG against pipeline gas, ore gold against placer gold, condensate oil fields against homogeneous fields, etc. The main state support in the Arctic should be provided to mining industries of the fifth and sixth Kondratievs, which have enormous growth potential, but face limitations in the resource base due to competition with other (more technologically archaic) subsoil users.

Semi-endogenous growth in a non-Walrasian DSEM for Brazil: estimation and simulation of changes in foreign income, human capital, R&D, and terms of trade

In an empirical, dynamic simultaneous equation model (DSEM) for Brazil with 22 equations and variables, we show that foreign income is a driver of economic growth besides semi-endogenous technical change. With a balance-of-payments constraint and endogenous terms of trade, the major mechanism is (i) world GDP driving exports, (ii) exports paying for imported capital goods, which (iii) enter a production function increasing output and the foreign-debt/GDP ratio and (iv) increase the endogenous labour force, and (v) slightly reduce human capital growth. The savings gap drives foreign debt and interest rates up and make the model unstable. Permanent increases of human capital increase the R&D/GDP ratio, labour-augmenting productivity, and GDP. A policy to increase the R&D/GDP ratio leads to more human capital, labour productivity and GDP levels. Both knowledge policies reduce the debt/GDP ratio. A lasting shock on the terms of trade reveals that there is no Harberger–Laursen–Metzler effect. The results hold in the presence of endogenous terms of trade, foreign debt, net foreign income, and net current transfers from abroad, and non-Walrasian (dis-)equilibrium variables: inflation and changing inventories for the goods market, and unemployment in the labour market. Policy should strengthen the weak link from R&D (research and development) to technical change and make education more attractive.

Analisis Tingkat Produktifitas Tenaga Kerja Pada CV. Fajar Papua Abadi di Distrik Maribu Kabupaten Jayapura

CV Fajar Papua Abadi is a company that produces millstones and is located in the West Sentani District, Jayapura Regency. The type and source of data that the author uses in this writing is Primary Data which is data obtained directly from the source, namely CV Fajar Papua Abadi in West Sentani District, Jayapura Regency and secondary data is data obtained indirectly through books, magazines magazines and other guidebooks that can help writers in this research. Data collection methods used are observation, interviews and literature studies. The data analysis tool used in this paper is an analysis of labor productivity levels with the formula Labor Productivity = Output/Input x 100%. Based on the calculation results it can be explained that in 2018 a workforce of 10 people can produce 1,361 cubic millstones with a productivity level of 136.10%. In 2019 the number of workers increased to 12 people with millstone production of 1,472 cubic meters with a productivity of 122.66%. In 2020 the number of workers will increase to 14 people, able to produce 1,584 cubic millstones with a productivity rate of 113.14%. In 2021 the number of workers will increase to 15 people, able to produce 1,696 cubic meters of millstones with a productivity rate of 113.06%.

Результаты непараметрической корреляционной оценки инновационного развития регионов РФ

The article presents an assessment of the relationship of qualitative indicators characterizing the degree of innovative development of regions and the level of labor productivity. As an analytical tool, the Pearson criterion was used to assess the correlation of nonparametric indicators. The study resulted in a conclusion about a positive correlation, which is important for the analysis of programs for the long-term development of regions.

Scientific Research of Innovation Ability of Universities in the United States of America and China

A better understanding of the universities’ ability to innovate can assist policymakers in identifying the key strengths and weaknesses and policy changes required to improve a nation’s innovation performance. However, no nation’s innovation system is the same as another due to various factors; thus, each system is unique and must be understood in this context. Hence, this study investigated the innovation ability of universities in the United States of America (US) and China from 1996 to 2021 using the system GMM technique. The findings of the study can be grouped into three themes: (i) research and development funding, the number of researchers engaged in research and development, and the number of colleges and universities influencing the impact of the innovation ability of universities across the countries; (ii) the innovation ability of Chinese universities is converging with that of US universities; thus, the gap between the innovation ability of Chinese and US universities is being narrowed—hence, declining; (iii) the innovation ability of Chinese and US universities improves the level of labor productivity, employment opportunities, and income classification group of the countries.

Pengaruh Tingkat Pendidikan dan Kesehatan terhadap Produktivitas Tenaga Kerja di Provinsi Jambi

Labor productivity is a parameter of the extent to which human resources or labor are used properly to create the desired results in a process because labor is an important factor in an economy. This study aims to determine: (1) The direct influence of the level of education and health on labor productivity. (2) the partial direct effect of education level on labor productivity and health level on labor productivity. This study uses secondary data in the form of time series data consisting of Jambi Province for the period 2001-2020. The data were obtained from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). This study used multiple linear regression analysis. Labor productivity from 2001-2020 fluctuated and tended to decline. At the education level, it can be seen that the average length of schooling in the year was fluctuating so that in 2010 it experienced a drastic decline. The level of health in 2007 experienced a very drastic decline. The results showed that: (1) The level of education and health had a significant effect on labor productivity. (2) The level of education has a positive and significant effect on labor productivity. (3) The level of health has a positive but not significant effect on labor productivity. Based on the results of this study, it is expected to provide benefits for the provincial government to take follow-up actions such as improving facilities for education and health evenly in all districts/cities in Jambi Province.

Assessing the performance and productivity of labour in building construction projects through the application of work-based training practices

PurposeSources highlight that lack of systematic labour training components results in low performance and productivity of labour, which leads the construction industry of many countries to face various challenges. This study aims to quantify the variations in the performance and productivity levels of labour in building construction projects through the applications of effective work-based training components.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive literature review and a series of experts’ discussions with action-oriented communication approaches were conducted to develop a set of practices related to labour training, performance assessment and productivity measurements within a framework. The developed practices were applied to around 100 labourers working on nine building construction projects through a construction supervisory training programme.FindingsThe study presents the detailed patterns of the significant changes in labour performance and productivity levels. The majority of trained labourers have grown to perform the work process with some relevant theoretical and operational knowledge and skills. The overall results spotlight the significant behavioural changes that can be observed in workforce operations by improving labour performance, which resulted in implementing effective labour-rewarding practices within a framework.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the study findings were limited to the Sri Lankan context, the proposed practices can be applied to the industry practices of the construction sector of other developing countries and the other developing industries in similar ways/scenarios.Practical implicationsThe study outcomes contribute to uplifting the work qualities of labourers with life-long learning opportunities and unlocking the potential barriers for expanding the local labour supply while controlling the excessive inclination of the local firms towards foreign labour. This paper describes further implications and future scopes of the study elaborately.Originality/valueThe study provides generalised mechanisms and practices that transform the labour characteristics and add new attributes for strengthening the values of construction supervision practices to obtain well-improved work outputs. The study outcomes reinforce the chain relationships among the training elements, labour performance and productivity levels, leading to upgrading current planning and operational management practices, especially adding constructive mechanisms in resource levelling and productivity benchmarking practices.

Performance Improvement of Construction Workers to Achieve Better Productivity for Labour-Intensive Works

This paper develops techniques to improve labour productivity in the construction industry and determine the level of labour productivity in the Ghanaian construction industry. The goal of this study was to develop a framework for determining the optimal productivity of construction workers for labour-intensive projects. There were three main objectives of this study: to identify factors that influence construction labour productivity in Ghana, to determine techniques used to improve construction labour productivity, and to develop a comprehensive framework for improving construction labour productivity in Ghana. The study adopted a quantitative research design that used a questionnaire. Since the country has been divided into zones, a stratified sampling technique was used based on the diverse nature of the population. Meanwhile, since the district offices were not all handling road construction projects, a purposive sampling technique was used to select 40 districts that were involved in road construction projects. A total of 560 respondents were sampled for the study. The data obtained from the study were analysed and are presented in tables and diagrams. The following factors played a significant role: the age of beneficiaries, the knowledge of beneficiaries, compliance with safety regulations, and the motivation of beneficiaries. Growing a project’s beneficiary base has been observed by many sites to be associated with a decrease in overall labour productivity (due to the overcrowding of workers). Recruiting new members should be conducted cautiously, as the government plans to use this medium to benefit the impoverished in the region. Construction workers can use this information to aid in firm decision-making. For planning purposes, this research can also be used as a useful tool for utilizing labour-intensive methods to increase productivity and meet contract deadlines by finishing a task as anticipated.

Methodology of justification and calculation of rational and constructive parameters of a tube belt conveyor

The article considers the methodology of justification and calculation of rational and constructive parameters of a tube belt conveyor (TBC), which allows to transport bulk cargo safely.At the same time, there was noted the need for a harmless impact on the environment, especially when transporting routes with vertical and horizontal bends over long distances.The considered TBC design, unlike the existing ones, is formed with a closed belt tray due to support devices placed along the perimeter of the bulk cargo transportation line.It is revealed that the main advantages of conveyor transport are a high level of labor productivity achieved by automating the operation of equipment and low production costs. And the problems inherent in them are the need for crushing the transported cargo, precise alignment of transition sections, coordination of drives and synchronization of movements, easily adjustable during operation, subject to certain initial design conditions.

THE ROLE OF HUMAN CAPITAL IN ENSURING EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT OF ENTERPRISES

The article analyzes the role of human capital in the production and economic activity of the enterprise. It was determined that the most important condition for increasing the competitiveness of a modern enterprise is the formation of highly developed human capital capable of producing not only new knowledge, but also competitive advantages in any sphere of activity. One of the main directions of the development of personnel of enterprises is the organization of interrelated processes of development of competitive and personal abilities of an employee. The experience of many foreign companies indicates the strengthening of the role of human resources management in the system of factors that ensure competitiveness. In order to achieve a more stable competitive position, the enterprise must constantly develop personnel development programs that would ensure the satisfaction of many needs of employees, development and improvement of professional and general educational level. Sufficient provision of enterprises with human capital of the appropriate level of qualification and professional skills, its rational use, high level of labor productivity are of great importance for increasing production volumes and improving production efficiency. Human capital forms 70% of the national wealth of developed countries and only 30% of the national wealth of Ukraine. It is even worse that while developed countries are increasing their human capital, Ukraine is losing it: demographic and migration losses, the mismatch of education and qualifications of workers with the requirements of the times, low labor productivity and innovativeness of the economy, the full-scale invasion of Russia on the territory of Ukraine are leading us to disaster. Extremely low labor productivity in Ukraine will continue to decline, as a large number of the population is currently out of work, leaving the country, many enterprises are suspending their work and reducing their staff. Determining the main causes of existing problems and creating an effective strategy for the restoration of human capital is the main condition for the revival of Ukraine after the war. Enterprises today must become socially active and be included in processes of a nationwide nature, cooperating with civil organizations and, what is especially important in today’s conditions, the volunteer movement. It is obvious that every enterprise has people who are directly or indirectly involved in the mobilization processes, volunteering, charity, who may have suffered losses due to the war, therefore the management of the enterprise has no right to be indifferent to the fate of its team. By forming corporate volunteering, enterprises join general processes, demonstrating their social importance, social responsibility and increasing their image on the market. National consciousness is a component of human capital. It was thanks to the level of patriotic intelligence that there was a rallying of the population of Ukraine, the creation of volunteer aid centers, provision of the Armed Forces and territorial aid with charitable contributions to support their activities. In general, the biophysical, intellectual and social components of human capital give an awareness of the importance of the work of individuals and their contribution to the functioning of the economy in wartime.

Application of innovative factors to increase labor productivity

The relevance of the research topic lies in the fact that increasing labor productivity is an urgent task for all levels of the economy. Labor productivity is the basis of long-term economic growth and competitiveness. Ukraine has the potential to solve the problem of increasing labor productivity, using innovative factors to increase it. To this end, the country studies and analyzes the works of scientists, practical experience, natural potential and other opportunities to increase labor productivity. Formulation of the problem. Although there are many areas of application of innovative factors for increasing labor productivity, it is required, first, to find new and improve existing ways to increase labor productivity. Therefore, a high level of labor productivity is the main condition for the effective functioning of an enterprise in market conditions, since this indicator is one of the main factors of competitiveness, which means an increase in the standard of living. Only by choosing an innovative way of development of the enterprise, it is possible to achieve the set goals. Therefore, the issue of using the innovation factor to increase the productivity of the enterprise is relevant. Analysis of recent research and publications. Research on related issues with increasing productivity and factors influencing it. Many domestic and foreign scientists, in particular: Z. Varnaly, D. Goddess, O. Grishnova, A. Revenko, E. Kuchina, L. Fulakova, B. Crepon, E. Duguet, L. Klomp, A. Manual and others. At the same time, the problem has not been fully studied, especially with the direction of using innovations to increase labor productivity in business. The purpose of this article is to give practical recommendations on the use of innovative factors to increase labor productivity. To achieve the goals set, it is necessary to solve the following tasks: to demonstrate the socio-economic significance of increasing labor productivity in modern conditions; clarify the classification of labor productivity growth factors and highlight the innovative component, determine the place of innovation in the system of labor productivity increase factors; characterize the impact of innovative factors on labor productivity; suggest possible ways of using innovations to increase labor productivity. The object of research is the process of increasing labor productivity in enterprises. The subject of the research is the study of theoretical and practical issues about the impact of innovations on the growth of labor productivity. Application area. The results of this study can be applied at Ukrainian enterprises to solve the problem of applying innovative factors to increase labor productivity at the enterprise, as well as in the initial process of teaching the discipline "Labor Economics and Socio-Economic Relations", "Personnel Management", "Innovative Development of Enterprises". Conclusions in accordance with the article. This study leads us to the conclusion that the problem of increasing labor productivity is currently emerging. It is especially important for Ukraine as it is in the process of economic transformation. Our country is facing serious problems: increased pressure from international competitors, dependence on the export of raw materials and world valuables, low living standards for the majority of the population, etc.

The Impact of COVID on Productivity and Potential Output

The U.S. economy came into the pandemic, and looks likely to leave it, on a slow-growth path. The near- term level of potential output has fallen because of shortfalls in labor that should reverse over time. Labor productivity, to a surprising degree, has followed an accelerated version of its Great Recession path with initially strong growth followed by weak growth. But, as of mid-2022, it appears that the overall level of labor and total factor productivity are only modestly affected. The sign of the effect depends on whether we use the strong income-side measures of pandemic output growth or the much weaker expenditure-side measures. There is considerable heterogeneity across industries. We can explain some but not all of the heterogeneity through industry differences in cyclical utilization and off-the-clock hours worked. After accounting for these factors, industries where it is easy to work from home have grown somewhat faster than they did pre-pandemic. In contrast, industries where it is hard to work from home have performed extremely poorly.

How do industrial robots applications affect the quality upgrade of Chinese export trade?

This study examines the effect of industrial robots applications on the quality upgrade of China's manufacturing export products at the enterprise level. It analyzes import and export data obtained from the China Customs and Chinese Industrial Enterprises databases from 2000 to 2013. The results show that the industrial robots applications significantly promotes the quality upgrade of Chinese manufacturing export products. Moreover, the impact of industrial robots applications on the export product quality is dynamic; it initially increases and then decreases. Heterogeneity test results indicate greater quality improvement effects if robots feature applications in high-tech industries. We also show that importing more robots and for extended periods promotes the effects of industrial robots applications on the export product quality upgrades of Chinese enterprises. Mechanism tests reveal that industrial robots applications can upgrade the quality of export products by improving the labor productivity and human capital level of enterprises. Finally, spillover analyses show that industrial robots applications intensity significantly affects export quality upgrades through spillover effects.

Labour Productivity and Economic Growth in the WAEMU Region: Both a Puzzle and a Key to Economic Development?

This article empirically investigated the causal relationship between labour productivity and economic growth in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) region. Recent panel cointegration and Granger causality techniques were adopted to analyse this relationship for the period 1994 to 2018. For robustness checks, three main Granger causality tests were applied in the context of panel VAR, namely: (a) the standard stacked Granger causality, (b) the Dumitrescu and Hurlin (2012) Granger causality, and (c) the Toda and Yamamoto (1995) augmented VAR approach to Granger causality. Contrary to the previous literature and general beliefs, the study found no evidence (neither in the short-run nor in the long-run) of a causal relationship between labour productivity and economic growth in the WAEMU region. The finding suggested that, as long as one considers labour input a determinant of economic growth, the latter is rather intensive labour-based than efficient labour-based in the case of WAEMU. This puzzling result can be explained by the low structural level of labour productivity stemming from the very high proportion of informal employment in these countries. The finding provided important policy implications for the WAEMU countries notably in terms of improving labour productivity in the informal economy, which appears to be the fundamental key to economic development in these countries.

Statistical Modeling of Regional Labor Productivity

The article from the perspective of interregional comparative analysis methodology substantiates the system of labor productivity factors and presents the results of statistical modeling of labor productivity in the regions of Russia in 2020.The shortcomings of the existing measures of labor productivity in international and domestic practice are noted, namely, the ambiguity and inconsistency of the assessment results. The authors propose a technique for constructing an integral index of regional labor productivity and substantiate a four-factor econometric model of the dependence of the integral index of regional labor productivity, which allowed for an improved system of labour productivity factors to be applied in regional economic analysis. Estimates are given of the relative impact of both traditional and new factors of regional labor productivity, which are the increasing incidence rate and the growing share of unprofitable enterprises (organizations), investments and industrial output per capita in the regions of Russia in 2020.The need to monitor regional labor productivity factors annually to help bring forward problems in the regions is justified. The reasons that led to the insufficient level of labour productivity (compared to Russian average) were identified. According to the authors (following the results of socio-economic development in 2020), they should include low growth rates of investment and production volumes, as well as an increase in the incidence and in the share of unprofitable enterprises and organizations.