Does competition raise productivity through improving management quality?

John van Reenen

International Journal of Industrial Organization, 2011, vol. 29, issue 3, 306-316

Abstract: A classic question in industrial organization is whether competition raises productivity and if so, through what mechanism? I discuss recent empirical evidence from both large-scale databases and specific industries which suggests that tougher competition does indeed raise productivity and one of the main mechanisms is through improving management practices. To establish this, I report on new research seeking to quantify management. I relate this to theoretical perspectives on the economics of competition and management, arguing that management should be seen at least in part as a transferable technology. A range of recent econometric studies suggests that (i) competition increases management quality and (ii) improved management quality boosts productivity.

Keywords: Management; Productivity; Organization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (55)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:indorg:v:29:y:2011:i:3:p:306-316

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