Productivity Convergence and Divergence in Latin America, 1970-2014

The paper examines Latin American countries’ productivity growth levels and their convergence patterns utilizing nonparametric frontier approaches. Utilizing a sample of 17 Latin American countries for the period 1970-2014 it estimates various productivity indexes alongside with their main components. Moreover a convergence analysis is conducted estimating relative productivity convergence paths. The results suggest that over the period examined, countries’ productivity growth levels have contracted. We provide evidence that the implementation of the structural reforms of the 1990s do not appear to have driven Latin American countries to higher productivity levels. Moreover, the results do not render support to the productivity convergence hypothesis. On the other hand, some support was found for countries’ technological change levels, identifying three convergence clubs.

TOTAL FACTOR PRODUCTIVITY CONVERGENCE CASE OF THE WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES

This study examines Total Factor Productivity (hereinafter TFP) convergence in the Western Balkan countries (Republic of Slovenia-SL, Republic of Croatia-CR, Republic of Serbia-SR, and the Republic of Srpska-RS). Our analysis will cover the time period 2000- 2018. Our goal here is threefold. First, we will estimate the TFP for selected countries, and to do so, we will apply the growth accounting. Second, we will use the development accounting to test for the unconditional catching up. And third, we will test the country’s ability to learn or absorb new technology from the more advanced leader through the ``technology gap`` and ``technology spillovers``. In our survey, we will assume, apriori, that most developed country is Slovenia, followed by Croatia, Serbia, and the Republic of Srpska.

Agricultural Convergence Clubs in Africa Countries: A Note

The study investigates productivity club convergence to assess whether countries follow different African agriculture convergence trajectories. We employ cross country panel covering 1961-2012 across 48 countries with total factor productivity (TFP) as an indicator of agricultural productivity in the study. Empirical results show evidence of population divergence in agricultural TFP. Further analysis shows evidence of club convergence as countries follow different convergence trajectories. Specifically, the result identifies three different transition groups in the region's agricultural productivity convergence. Countries in the first and two groups show a convergence path, while countries in the third group exhibit a divergence path. A total of 16 and 28 countries in the sample converge into the first and second clubs. The implication of this is that efforts to intensify agricultural productivity might require club-specific attention. For instance, new agricultural technology diffusion might focus on countries within a specific club or group.