Digitalisation, productivity, and measurability of digital economy : evidence from BRICS

Abstract: Digitalisation brings along both positive disruptions and a plethora of negative economic externalities. The unresolved questions are bothersome: What is the extent of undesirable markets in digital economy, and how do measurement limitations conceal the true impact of digitalisation on global economies? The objective of this paper is to examine the influence of digitali-sation on labour productivity. Methodologically, the study exploits the econo-metric framework of endogenous-growth model, and apply the innovative data set from the Conference Board’s Total Economy Database on the BRICS case study. The findings of the study confirm the new productivity paradox of accelerated digitalisation that is not manifested in productivity growth. The outcome of this empirical study should benefit emerging market investors, technology sector industrialists, and policy makers