Bm. Fleisher et J. Chen, THE COAST-NONCOAST INCOME GAP, PRODUCTIVITY, AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC-POLICY IN CHINA, Journal of comparative economics, 25(2), 1997, pp. 220-236
We postulate that inferior factor productivity in China's noncoastal p
rovinces is a principal reason for their lower economic growth despite
high investment rates relative to provincial GDP. We find that total
factor productivity is roughly twice as high in the coastal provinces
and estimate that investment in higher education and foreign direct in
vestment helps explain the productivity gap. We speculate that despite
its relatively modest estimated return-investment in infrastructure m
ay be necessary to attract foreign direct investment and to retain uni
versity graduates in the interior. (C) 1997 Academic Press.