Abstract

The Input-Output model assumes that the technical coefficient matrix changes as an economic system develops, following either of two tendencies; one, the entries of the matrix shrink, due to increased efficiency on the production lines; two, they expand, while productivity gains concentrate in the use of factors. Further, the economic structure grows more complex, as industries become more tightly (vertically) integrated and the development process evolves. Both phenomena have seldom been analysed together, despite the apparent connections they may have with the evolution of economic structures and the development opportunities countries may face. This paper intends to examine the implications of these tendencies for the evolution of economic systems in regards to the dynamics the growth process may adopt. Two indicators are presented here useful to characterise such dynamics, later tested on the Mexican IO data.