Substitution between production factors and intermediate inputs in the light of KLEMS growth accounting for Poland

Abstract

The generally adopted view is that the gross-output-based MFP is the most correct in terms of methodology, and the value-added-based MFP is its imperfect substitute performed when some data are missing. In this paper, however, performing both of them and comparing their results is proposed as a valuable means to studying the development of outsourcing in the economy. The paper presents the elaboration of the methodology for the latter, which is its main contribution to the field. The case of the Polish economy is used as an applicative example (covering the period between 2005 and 2016), as KLEMS growth accounting has recently been implemented in Poland. The results demonstrate that around the year 2011, the expansion of outsourcing ceased. Since outsourcing was one of the main processes of the Polish transition, this observation can be considered as an indication of the maturing of the market economy in Poland. Moreover, KLEMS growth accounting makes it possible to study this issue through NACE activities, i.e. at the industry level. It shows that manufacturing (section C of NACE) is predominantly responsible for the situation described above, which is the main empirical finding of the study. The dominant role of manufacturing is also confirmed by some other sectoral observations of lesser importance. The methodology developed in this paper can potentially be applied to other countries for which both kinds of MFP are performed.