RIETI's Productivity Studies: An updated survey

The purpose of this paper is to survey productivity studies conducted at RIETI for the convenience of policy practitioners engaged in planning growth strategies. This survey covers (1) growth accounting studies at the macro or industry level, (2) firm- or establishment-level analyses on the distribution and dynamics of productivity, (3) analyses on the determinants of productivity of firms or establishments, and (4) the relationship between human capital and productivity. RIETI has published more than 100 productivity-related Discussion Papers, which have been used in a variety of ways to assist policy makers in planning economic policies. Furthermore, many of these research results have been published in academic journals or books, influencing scholars and intellectuals both domestically and abroad. Through this research, useful knowledge on productivity has been accumulated, but there are still many open questions on how to enhance the productivity of the Japanese economy and industry. As productivity growth is the key to economic growth, it is necessary for RIETI to continue high-quality productivity research which contributes both to policy planning and to academic progress.

* This paper is a revised version of 10-P-003