Why Isn't the Whole World Developed? Lessons from the Cotton Mills

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economic History
Year: 1987
Volume: 47
Issue: 1
Pages: 141-173

Score contribution per author:

2.018 = (α=2.02 / 1 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

In 1910 one New England cotton textile operative performed as much work as 1.5 British, 2.3 German, and nearly 6 Greek, Japanese, Indian, or Chinese workers. Input substitution, and differences in technology, management, and workers' training or inherent abilities do not explain this. Instead local culture seems to have determined worker performance. Such differences, if widespread, would explain much of the international variation in wages. They also have important consequences for understanding labor migration, the choice of technique, and the sources of economic growth.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:cup:jechis:v:47:y:1987:i:01:p:141-173_04
Journal Field
Economic History
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-25