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Persistent Productivity Differences Between Firms

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  • TAKII Katsuya

Abstract

We construct a dynamic assignment model that explains persistent productivity differences between firms. Large expected organization capital (firm-specific knowledge) attracts skilled workers, who help to accumulate organization capital. Accumulated large organization capital leads to good performances, which, in turn, confirm high expectations. It is shown that the sluggish movement of expected productivity that occurs through this positive feedback can play a role similar to an unobserved fixed effect in the productivity dynamics. Our calibration exercises suggest that the proposed feedback accompanied by amplification mechanisms inherent in the assignment model can explain a major part of the observed persistence and disparity in productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • TAKII Katsuya, 2011. "Persistent Productivity Differences Between Firms," Discussion papers 11048, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    • Handle: RePEc:eti:dpaper:11048
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    Cited by:

    1. Katsuya Takii & Ryuichi Tanaka, 2013. "On the role of job assignment in a comparison of education systems," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 46(1), pages 180-207, February.
    2. Joseph Junior Aduba & Behrooz Asgari, 2020. "Productivity and technological progress of the Japanese manufacturing industries, 2000–2014: estimation with data envelopment analysis and log-linear learning model," Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science, Springer, vol. 4(2), pages 343-387, June.
    3. KAWAKAMI Atsushi & MIYAGAWA Tsutomu & TAKIZAWA Miho, 2011. "Revisiting Productivity Differences and Firm Turnover: Evidence from product-based TFP measures in the Japanese manufacturing industries," Discussion papers 11064, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance

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