Partial versus Total Factor Productivity Measures: An Assessment of their Strengths and Weaknesses

Alexander Murray ()

International Productivity Monitor, 2016, vol. 31, 113-126

Abstract: A partial productivity measure relates output to a single input. Total factor productivity (or TFP) relates an index of output to a composite index of all inputs. This article reviews the strengths and weaknesses of each type of productivity measure from theoretical and methodological perspectives. Different productivity measures may be useful for different analytical purposes, and no single measure provides a complete picture of an industry's productivity performance. We argue for a balanced, context-appropriate approach to productivity analysis that incorporates both productivity measures.

Keywords: Productivity; Total Factor Productivity; Multifactor Productivity; Labour Productivity; Natural Resources; Measurement; Canada; Agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D24 J24 O47 O51 Q3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.csls.ca/ipm/31/murray.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sls:ipmsls:v:31:y:2016:8

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.csls.ca

Access Statistics for this article

International Productivity Monitor is currently edited by Andrew Sharpe, Executive Director

More articles in International Productivity Monitor from Centre for the Study of Living Standards 170 Laurier Ave. W, Suite 604, Ottawa, ON K1P 5V5. Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by CSLS ( this e-mail address is bad, please contact ).