Four Essays on Productivity, Competition and Labour Relations

Download or read book Four Essays on Productivity, Competition and Labour Relations written by Rémy Lecat and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 486 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This thesis emphasises the role of individual firm data in explaining the dynamics of productivity through four chapters: 1) It contributes to the correct measurement of total factor productivity (TFP). In most estimates, TFP is procyclical, displaying increasing return to scale in the short run. Imperfect competition may be one explanation for this stylised fact. However, taking correctly into account factor utilisation, and in particular capital operating time, leads to estimating constant returns to scale. 2) Individual firm data allows to measure convergence of productivity among firms, which is an important component of productivity dynamics at the macroeconomic level, especially in France. A significant convergence is found, which however has slowed during the 2nd half of the 1990s : already highly-productive firms have benefitted the most from ICT and globalisation, while increasing competition fostered innovation in these firms. 3) The relationship between regulation, and more precisely barrieto entry, competition and productivity in the service sector is addressed. Indeed, regulation has a complex impact on productivity, which can run through different channels. Individual firm data allows isolating the impact of barriers to entry on competition, as reflected by mark-ups, and then of competition on productivity. 4) The role of labour relations has been emphasised mostly through case studies. Through an original firm-level survey, deteriorated labour relations are shown to have a negative impact on productivity, but only when they can rely on regulation. On the contrary, branch or firm agreements make it possible to overcome the constraints of regulation.