Empirical Investigation on Roots and Process of Industrial Development in North African Countries

本研究实证考察了北非传统产业如突尼斯的橄榄油制造企业和埃及的纺织企业的生产率和技术效率。利用收集到的数据，估计了随机生产函数和低效率效应模型，并确定了提高效率的主要决定因素。结果表明，设备技术水平、员工技能水平和经验、企业经营年限、稳定投入、质量控制标准的引入对技术效率的提高有显著影响。这些结果表明，技能、知识和经验的积累是主要的决定因素，隐性知识在北非传统行业的知识管理中的贡献可能是显著的。

This study empirically investigates productivity and technical efficiency of traditional industries in North Africa such as olive oil manufacturing firms in Tunisia and textile firms in Egypt. By using the collected data, stochastic production function and inefficiency effects model were estimated, and the major determinants that contribute to enhance efficiency were identified. Results indicated that the level of technology of equipment, skill level and experience of the employees, years of operation of the firm, supplying stable inputs, and the introduction of quality control standard have a significant effect on the improvement of technical efficiency. These results implied that the accumulation of skills, knowledge and experience were major determinants, and the contribution of tacit knowledge in knowledge management might be significant in the traditional industries in North Africa.