These Economics W.I.R.E.D. activities recommend web links that relate to key concepts of each chapter of the textbook. For each link, there are instructions to guide you to specific information, followed by several discussion questions or exercises.

Key Concepts: Labor and Capital Without Technology, Labor and Capital with Technology, The Growth Accounting Formula, Case Study: Growth Accounting in Practice, Technology Policy

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—Productivity

Click on "Productivity" in the "Latest Numbers" box. Review the most recent quarterly update information on "Productivity and Costs."

• Compare the current U.S. quarterly productivity performance in relation to the last quarter (e.g. positive or negative).
• Assess whether the current U.S. quarterly productivity gain or loss is driven more by a change in output level or labor hours during the last quarter. (Note that productivity measures output generated per labor hour in the economy).
• Review historical total factor productivity index information (1948–1999) and determine if the growth of total factor productivity in the U.S. accelerated or decelerated in the 1990s. Explain what potential factors have driven this trend.
• Review the service offered by AskMeCorp.com and explain how this type of new economy business raises the level of productivity.