Since the global financial crisis, Europe and Central Asia (ECA) is the region with the largest drop in productivity growth. ECA is now facing multiple challenges and opportunities, including the urgent need for climate transition, the rapid acceleration of technological advances, increasing geopolitical pressures, and shifts in the structure of global value chains (GVCs). These factors collectively create a complex and evolving scenario, presenting unique policy challenges.
This high-level conference will take stock of recent frontier research on the drivers of productivity dynamics in ECA and identify global lessons relevant to ECA.
Session 1. Productivity, Technology, and Management
This session will focus on links between technology, innovation, management, entrepreneurship, and productivity growth with global lessons for ECA. It will tackle three key questions: (1) What is the evidence on the drivers and obstacles of technology adoption? (2) What is the role of management and innovation in driving growth? (3) What is the evidence about policies to promote innovation and productivity?
Moderator
Michal Rutkowski, Regional Director, ECA Human Development PG (DC)
Speakers
John Van Reenen, Ronald Coase Chair in Economics, LSE (Online)
Diego Comin, Professor of Economics, Darthmouth College (DC)
Discussant
Bill Maloney, Chief Economist, LAC (DC)