TY - JOUR

T1 - Total factor productivity growth and Technical change in the English and Welsh water and sewerage industry

AU - Ashton, John

PY - 2000/10

Y1 - 2000/10

N2 - The characteristics of total factor productivity growth and technical change in the water and sewerage industry of England and Wales are 'examined within this article. Total factor productivity growth, technical change and the components oftechnical change are quantified using a time trend model. A translog specification of productive technology is employed. Very low levels of technical change, the components of techical change and total factor productivity growth are observed over the sample period. Substantial economies of scale are recorded. Three major implications may be drawn from the study findings. Initially, the high levels of investment have yet to substantially influence the productive technology of the water and sewerage firms. Secondly, strong ernpirical evidence of the natural monopoly conditions in the water industry is provided. Finally, it maybe stated that privatisation does not appear to have raised the level of technical change or productivity growth since 1989.

AB - The characteristics of total factor productivity growth and technical change in the water and sewerage industry of England and Wales are 'examined within this article. Total factor productivity growth, technical change and the components oftechnical change are quantified using a time trend model. A translog specification of productive technology is employed. Very low levels of technical change, the components of techical change and total factor productivity growth are observed over the sample period. Substantial economies of scale are recorded. Three major implications may be drawn from the study findings. Initially, the high levels of investment have yet to substantially influence the productive technology of the water and sewerage firms. Secondly, strong ernpirical evidence of the natural monopoly conditions in the water industry is provided. Finally, it maybe stated that privatisation does not appear to have raised the level of technical change or productivity growth since 1989.

M3 - Article

VL - 20

SP - 121

EP - 130

JO - Service Industries Journal

JF - Service Industries Journal

SN - 0264-2069

IS - 4

ER -