中文摘要
我们采用一种新方法研究技术复杂度，衡量各经营单位内部关键业务职能中最先进的技术（MAX）和使用最广泛的技术（MOST）的复杂度。利用来自15个国家逾21,000个经营单位的数据，我们发现，经营单位普遍未充分利用某项业务职能中可用的复杂度最高的技术。MAX与MOST之间的这些差距持续存在，并且无论在经营单位之间还是在国家之间，都与生产率高度相关。在经营单位层面，MAX和MOST均存在较大差异，其中MOST的分布偏斜程度更高。在低收入国家和小型经营单位中，MAX和MOST表现出不同的生命周期模式；二者与若干经营单位特征和绩效指标的关联也有所不同。这些证据凸显了驱动MAX和MOST的技术升级过程在性质上的差异。
Abstract
Abstract We study technology sophistication using a novel approach that measures the sophistication of the most advanced (MAX) and the most widely used (MOST) technologies in key business functions within establishments. Using data from over 21,000 establishments across 15 countries, we find that establishments generally underutilize the most sophisticated technologies available in a business function. These MAX-MOST gaps are persistent and strongly associated with productivity both across establishments and countries. At the establishment level, there is substantial variation in both MAX and MOST, with MOST showing a more skewed distribution. MAX and MOST follow different life cycle patterns in low-income countries and among small establishments, and they exhibit different associations with several establishment characteristics and performance indicators. This evidence underscores the different nature of the technology upgrading processes that drive MAX and MOST.