This title presents a collection of studies intended to contribute towards an understanding of the sources of productivity growth and the means by which growth may be achieved within the context of the Netherlands as part of an expanding European Union.

Moreover, the book contains international comparisons between EU and OECD countries, in particular with regard to productivity performance. The book focuses on productivity in the business sector, leaving public sector productivity aside.

Abbreviated. Chapter 1: Introduction (G. Gelauff, L. Klomp, S. Raes, T. Roelandt). Chapter 2: An international comparison of productivity performance: the case of the Netherlands (P. Donselaar, H. Erken, S. Raes). Chapter 3: The measurement of productivity: what do the numbers mean? (B. van Ark). Chapter 4: Helping thy neighbour: productivity, welfare and international trade (N. Nahuis, B. Geurts). Chapter 5: R&
D and innovation: drivers of productivity growth (P. Donselaar, H. Erken, L. Klomp). Chapter 6: ICT and productivity (H. van der Wiel, G. van Leeuwen). Chapter 7: Human capital and productivity: a labour market perspective (P. van Winden, A. Reitsma). Chapter 8: Wage moderation and labour productivity (P. Broer, F. Huizinga). Chapter 9: Integrating evidence on the determinants of productivity (E. Bartelsman, H. de Groot). Chapter 10: Four sources of innovation and stimulation of growth in the Dutch economy (W. Baumol). Chapter 11: Market structure, innovation and productivity: a marriage with chemistry (E. Brouwer, H. van Dalen, T. Roelandt, M. Ruiter, H. van der Wiel). Chapter 12: Firm dynamics and labour productivity (W. Verhoeven). Chapter 13: The contribution of business services to aggregate productivity growth (H. Kox). Chapter 14: Increasing productivity through innovation and entrepreneurship in business services (M. Visscher, R. Becker, M. van Dijk). Chapter 15: The OECD growth study: implications for the Netherlands (D. Pilat). Chapter 16: A policy agenda for higher productivity growth (S. Raes, G. Gelauff, L. Klomp, T. Roelandt).