On the heterogeneity of sectoral growth and structural dynamics: evidence from Austrian manufacturing industries

This article studies the factors driving structural dynamics across Austrian manufacturing industries. Using a Structural Vector Autoregressive Model (SVAR) framework we identify sectoral labour productivity and demand shocks that are orthogonal to aggregate shocks. We analyse the sectoral impulse-response patterns and find that the effect of industry labour productivity shocks on industry output growth is quite heterogeneous. We devise a taxonomy that allows us to classify industries according to the effect productivity and demand shocks have on output growth. We also show that productivity shocks are quite heterogeneous not just across industries but also over time, whereas shocks to sectoral demand growth are more systematic. We test the taxonomy in a panel regression and are able to confirm our sector-specific findings. Industry demand shocks and aggregate productivity and demand shocks lead always to an increase in industry output and industry employment.

The Australian Economy on the Hinge of History

The article traces the origins of the Australian economic crisis of the 1980s, and suggests that many problems can be related to the special character of the country's long-term economic development. The dominance of two exceptional commodities, wool and gold, created a remarkably high standard of living in the nineteenth century. But there were dangers. High labour productivity was achieved without the underpinnings of modem technology, and it was difficult to achieve sustained industrialisation from a high income base in a small, open society. Further, the efficiency of traditional commodity production helped create an inward-looking urban-industrial sector. Gradually fundamental change in the composition of global trade has marginalised Australia's traditional export sector. The urgent need now is for an aggressive exploitation of the country's considerable resources in science and technology. If this is achieved the 1980s could see a basic shift in Australia's economic history. Copyright 1987 The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research.