Capital Operating Time and total Factor Productivity Growth in France

Author/Editor:

Francisco d Nadal De Simone ; Luc Everaert

Publication Date:

June 1, 2003

Electronic Access:

Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

Data on the weekly operating time of capital improve the measurement of effective capital input in production. The production function of the French business sector is found to be consistent with a Cobb-Douglas technology under constant returns to scale. Total factor productivity growth, estimated as an unobservable variable, has declined steadily since the late 1970s, but more slowly since 1994. During the 1990s, a secular increase in shift work raised the operating time of capital and began to contribute positively to growth, albeit only slightly.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2003/128

Subject:

Capacity utilization Financial institutions Labor Production Productivity Stocks Total factor productivity

English

Publication Date:

June 1, 2003

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451935691/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA1282003

Pages:

20

Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org