The impact of export growth and scale economies on productivity in Singapore's manufacturing industries

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of export performance and scale economies on total factor productivity in Singapore's manufacturing sector. A panel data of total of ten major industries within its manufacturing sector are analysed over the period 1974‐1995. It was found that export growth and scale economies contributed significantly to the productivity growth of selected industries. In addition, the results also indicate that the foreign direct investment (FDI) intensive industries are the main contributors to productivity growth in the manufacturing industries in terms of export performance and economies of scale as compared to the non‐FDI intensive industries.

Citation

Thangavelu, S.M. and Owyong, D.T. (2003), "The impact of export growth and scale economies on productivity in Singapore's manufacturing industries", Journal of Economic Studies, Vol. 30 No. 6, pp. 623-635. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443580310504471