How important is innovation? A Bayesian factor-augmented productivity model on panel data

This paper proposes a Bayesian approach to estimate a factor augmented productivity equation. We exploit the panel dimension of our data and distinguish individual-specific and time-specific factors. On the basis of 21 technology, infrastructure and institution indicators from 82 countries over a 19-year period 1990 to 2008, we construct summary indicators of these three components and estimate their effect on the growth and the international differences in GDP per capita.