Technology, Productivity and Growth: U.S. and German Issues: Perspectives on a Global Economy
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Authors:
Bart van Ark
Kevin Stiroh
Robert H. McGuckin, III -
Publication Date:
December 1997 -
Report Number:
R-1206-97-RR
This issues analyzes computers and productivity growth in the United States and around the world. It provides an in-depth discussion of "productivity" — a crucial concept about which there is much confusion — and presents new evidence that does much to dispel the "computer productivity paradox" of rapid investment in computers and low measured productivity growth. This issue also considers recent productivity differences between Germany and the United States and shows there is little evidence that Germany's poor economic performance in the 1990s is associated with technology. (28 Pages)