The Challenges of Productivity Measurement — Review Article on The Measure of Economies: Measuring Productivity in an Age of Technological Change

This is an important book about an immensely important topic—productivity measurement. The editorial and author team, comprising some of our strongest experts on the subject, have compiled a collection of chapters that is both eclectic and timely. They marshal theoretical and empirical analyses to explore a wide range of issues now confronting researchers and practitioners. The chapters describe not just how measurement works at present, but also how things might be done better (often offering practical approaches for getting to that point). The book’s target audience includes researchers, measurement practitioners, and specialized business- or government-sector analysts whose work involves productivity issues. It would serve as an excellent primer for those entering the productivity-analysis sphere, while at the same time offering something to the most seasoned experts. Overall, the volume can serve as a guide in the continued effort to improve productivity measurement.