James A. Schmitz (2005) documents, in a well-known case study, a dramatic rise in productivity in the U.S. and Canadian … productivity to a change in work practices in the industry, as old negotiated union work rules were abandoned or modified. This … research formalizes a mechanism through which a rise in competition can lead to increased productivity in the iron-ore industry …

Canada is a prosperous country, but this prosperity is being stressed by demographics, pressures on the public purse …, and low productivity growth. To maintain the nation's high quality of life, prosperity must increase while remaining … strategically for the long term. He recommends increasing productivity growth by embracing an economy based on innovation …