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Productivity and Skills in Industry and Services-A Britian-German Comparison

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  • Karin Wanger

    (Fachhochschule fur Technik und Wertschaft, Berlin.)

Abstract

It is widely accepted that the vocational and professional training system has a major impact on national competitiveness. In this paper a number of German-British studies in manufacturing and services are examined in order to show how skill systems have affected the comparative strengths and weaknesses of the two countries’ productivity performances. The studies have been conducted since the end of the 1980s to 2003 and have revealed specific links between vocational training, products and competitiveness on the basis of matched plant comparisons. The comparison between Britain and Germany has been chosen as these countries have very different national VET systems. The findings suggest that higher levels of apprenticeship training in German companies give them an advantage over their British counterparts with respect to flexibility to changes in markets, technology, quality and supply chains. The paper closes with a short discussion.

Suggested Citation

  • Karin Wanger, 2005. "Productivity and Skills in Industry and Services-A Britian-German Comparison," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 44(4), pages 411-438.
    • Handle: RePEc:pid:journl:v:44:y:2005:i:4:p:411-438
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thomas J. Kane & Dietmar Harhoff, 1997. "Is the German apprenticeship system a panacea for the U.S. labor market?," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 10(2), pages 171-196.
    2. S.J. Prais & Karin Wagner, 1988. "Productivity and Management: the Training of Foremen in Britain and Germany," National Institute Economic Review, National Institute of Economic and Social Research, vol. 123(1), pages 34-46, February.
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    5. Mayes,David G. (ed.), 1996. "Sources of Productivity Growth," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521554374, October.
    6. Geoff Mason & Karin Wagner, 2005. "Restructuring of automotive supply-chains: the role of workforce skills in Germany and Britain," International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 5(4), pages 387-410.
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