Convergence in OECD countries: technical change, efficiency and productivity

The aim of this study is to analyse labour productivity convergence in the OECD countries over the period 1975-90. A nonparametric frontier approach i s used to calculate the Malmquist productivity index. By breaking it down, the contribution in the growth of labour productivity of technical progress , of changes in efficiency, and of the accumulation of inputs per worker ar e quantified. Unlike other studies, the results obtained show that technica l change has worked against labour productivity convergence, since it has a lways been greater in the countries with higher labour productivity.