ICT and productivity growth in the 1990s: panel data evidence for Europe

Hans Christian Kongsted, Christian Dahl, Anders Sørensen

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

What has been the quantitative effect on productivity growth of information and communication technology (ICT) in Europe after 1995? Based on a multi-country sectoral panel data set, the authors provide econometric evidence of positive and significant productivity effects of ICT in Europe, mainly due to advances in total factor productivity. The impact of ICT in Europe has happened against a negative macro economic shock not related to ICT. This is in contrast to the established evidence for the US. Our main results challenge the consensus in the growth-accounting literature that there has been no acceleration of productivity growth in Europe, mainly due to a dismal performance of ICT-using sectors.
Original languageEnglish
JournalEmpirical Economics
Volume40
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)141-164
Number of pages24
ISSN0377-7332
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2011

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