Learning by Necessity: Government Demand, Capacity Constraints, and Productivity Growth
中文摘要
本文研究企业在面临产能约束时如何应对需求冲击。我表明，政府购买的增加提高了生产线层面以数量单位衡量的全要素生产率。生产率提升集中在面临更紧产能约束的工厂，我将这一现象称为“因需而学”。证据基于新近数字化的美国二战飞机生产档案数据。具有不同战略作用的飞机之间的需求转移为飞机需求提供了工具变量。我表明，工厂通过改进生产方法、外包和遏制缺勤来适应激增的需求，且主要是在面临更紧产能约束时如此。(JEL D22, D24, E62, L93, N12, N42, N62)
Abstract
This paper studies how firms adapt to demand shocks when facing capacity constraints. I show that increases in government purchases raise total factor productivity in quantity units at the production line level. Productivity gains are concentrated in plants facing tighter capacity constraints, a phenomenon I call “learning by necessity.” Evidence is based on newly digitized archival data on US World War II aircraft production. Shifts in demand across aircraft with different strategic roles provide an instrument for aircraft demand. I show that plants adapted to surging demand by improving production methods, outsourcing, and combating absenteeism, primarily when facing tighter capacity constraints. (JEL D22, D24, E62, L93, N12, N42, N62)