www.elsevier.com / locate /econbase Productivity convergence in OECD manufacturing industries

The extent of b- and s-convergence of average labor productivity across manufacturing industries in 18 OECD countries over the period 1972–1992 shows large inter-industry differences. One reason for these differences is knowledge and capital barriers preventing the occurrence of catch-up. We find the level of average labor productivity, as a proxy for these barriers, is correlated with the extent of convergence. Ó 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved