Productivity Growth: Towards a Sociological Synthesis

Abstract

As a means of increasing living standards productivity growth now features as a key element in state economic and industrial relations policy. But how successful have economists and labour market specialists been in identifying the sources of productivity growth? The paper looks at this question as well as examining analyses provided by management researchers and sociologists. It concludes that productivity growth depends a great deal on management but that management behaviour needs to be situated empirically in relation to the role of the state and major economic institutions. Hence the importance of a sociological approach that is historically grounded and combines macro and micro analysis.