The effects of external and internal strikes on total factor productivity

This paper examines structural changes that occur in the total factor productivity (TFP) within countries. It is possible that some episodes of high economic growth or economic decline are associated with permanent productivity shocks, therefore, this research has two objectives. The Örst one is to estimate the structural changes present in TFP for a sample of 81 countries between 1950(60) and 2000. The second one is to identify, whenever possible, episodes in the political and economic history of these countries that may account for the structural breaks in question. The results suggest that about 85% of the TFP time-series present at least one structural break, moreover, at least half the structural changes can be attributed to internal factors, such as independence or a newly adopted constitution, and about 30% to external shocks, such as oil shock or shocks in international interest rates. The majority of the estimated breaks are downwards, indicating that after a break the TFP tends to decrease, implying that institutional rearrangements, external shocks, or internal shocks may be costly and from which it is very di¢ cult to recover.

Qualidade total e cidadania :a experiência da Secretaria de Administração da Prefeitura de Salvador

o presente estudo propõe uma reflexão acerca do modelo de gestão pela qualidade total, procurando apresentar as oportunidades e limitações de sua aplicação à administração pública brasileira. Assume como objeto de análise o Programa de Capacitação para Qualidade Total desenvolvido pela Prefeitura Municipal de Salvador (BA) e implantado na Secretaria de Administração, a partir de 1993. Nesta abordagem, a questão da qualidade está inserida num contexto analítico mais abrangente, onde o exercício da cidadania é considerado um componente imprescindível à dinâmica efetiva e competente da administração pública.