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Radar scanning the world production frontier

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  • Jens J. Krüger

    (Darmstadt University of Technology)

Abstract

In this paper we report the results from a detailed investigation of the shifts of the world production frontier function over the period 1980–2010. Analogous to a radar we implement a novel measurement approach for these shifts using nonparametrically computed directional distance functions to scan the frontier shifts across the entire input–output space. The shifts of the frontier function measured in this way are analyzed by regression methods. The results point towards substantial non-neutrality of technological progress and furthermore show that technological progress is more pronounced in regions of high output and in regions where human capital is intensely used.

Suggested Citation

  • Jens J. Krüger, 2016. "Radar scanning the world production frontier," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 46(1), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jproda:v:46:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1007_s11123-015-0462-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11123-015-0462-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Jens J. Krüger, 2016. "Radar scanning the world production frontier," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 46(1), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Kristiaan Kerstens & Jens J. Krüger & Zhiyang Shen, 2022. "Localized technological change," Chapters, in: Cristiano Antonelli (ed.), Elgar Encyclopedia on the Economics of Knowledge and Innovation, chapter 41, pages 332-340, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Benjamin Hampf, 2018. "Measuring inefficiency in the presence of bad outputs: Does the disposability assumption matter?," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 54(1), pages 101-127, February.
    4. Jens J. Krüger, 2020. "Long‐run productivity trends: A global update with a global index," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(4), pages 1393-1412, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Non-neutral technological change; World production frontier; Nonparametric frontier function;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • E23 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Production
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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