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The myth of the service economy

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  • Parrinello, Sergio

Abstract

In this article the author, after a critical assessment of the main notions of services developed in economics, presents a revised definition of services based on process analysis. A corresponding distinction is made between material and non-material goods, on the one hand, and services, on the other hand. The proposed definition is applied to extend Sraffa’s theory of prices and to clarify that the expansion of the service activities, as such, is not related to knowledge creation and information diffusion. It is suggested that the dynamics of such non-material factors, instead of being reflected by the change in the relative weights of goods and services, should be assessed on the basis of the change in the tasks and qualities of the labour force. Final version of this working paper: S. Parrinello, “The service economy revisited”, Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, 15 (2004) 381–400

Suggested Citation

  • Parrinello, Sergio, 2003. "The myth of the service economy," MPRA Paper 30829, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:30829
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sergio Parrinello, 1992. "Social Norms, Fluctuations and Money in a Linear Model of Prices," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Mario Sebastiani (ed.), The Notion of Equilibrium in the Keynesian Theory, chapter 13, pages 173-188, Palgrave Macmillan.
    2. Zvi Griliches, 1992. "Output Measurement in the Service Sectors," NBER Books, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc, number gril92-1.
    3. repec:bla:revinw:v:46:y:2000:i:3:p:369-87 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Pasinetti,Luigi, 1993. "Structural Economic Dynamics," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521432825, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Services; process analysis; Classical economics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B12 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Classical (includes Adam Smith)
    • D57 - Microeconomics - - General Equilibrium and Disequilibrium - - - Input-Output Tables and Analysis
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production

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