Standards, learning, and growth inBritain, 1901-2009

Datos Bibliográficos

ID4353877
AutoresChristopher Spencer (0000-0003-2446-2114, Loughborough University), Paul Temple (0000-0003-4645-5935, University of Surrey)
Año2016
Volumen69
Número2
Páginas627-652
Fecha de publicación2016-05-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaThe Economic History Review (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0013-0117 • E-ISSN: 1468-0289
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/ehr.12129
OpenAlexW2098362108
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas66

This article considers the model of voluntary, consensus based standardization as developed through theBritishStandardsInstitution (BSI) and its contribution to learning and productivity growth. It discusses the significant role played by professional engineers in the model's introduction, its extension at home, and its imitation overseas. It is argued that by 1931 theBSIcatalogue of standards represented a considerable stock of codified knowledge whose growth reflected underlying aggregate technological opportunities, assisting in their transformation into technological advance. To help validate this claim, a measure of the size of theBSIcatalogue of standards is incorporated into an econometric model of aggregate productivity growth in Britain. Findings show that the growth of the standards catalogue is associated with a substantial proportion of labour productivity growth over the period 1931-2009. Estimates relating to the short-run dynamics involved are consistent with the idea that there are causal linkages running from standards to growth. When interpreting these findings, it is argued that the overall weight of historical evidence points to standardization-coordinated through theBSI-as providing an important path of learning for the British economy over the period considered

Classical economics · Economics · Growth accounting · Imitation · Industrial organization · Macroeconomics · Political science · Productivity · Standardization · Stock (firearms) · Technological change · Total factor productivity · Economic Growth and Productivity · Economic Theory and Policy · Engineering · Historical Economic and Social Studies · Psychology