Why did growth in Latin America not accelerate despite wide-ranging reforms?

The thesis by Gaaitzen de Vries studies the relation between policy reforms and productivity performance in Latin America using firm-level data for the retail services sector.

In the aftermath of the 1982 debt crisis, the role of the government was dramatically reduced and replaced by the competitive forces of the free market. Unfortunately, the reforms did not live up to expectations regarding growth. Low productivity growth in post-reform Latin America has been of profound concern to policymakers, because it determines the ability of people to improve their standard of living.

De Vries' thesis aims to add various pieces to solving the puzzle why growth in Latin America did not accelerate despite wide-ranging reforms. It analyzes alternative policy strategies to speed up growth, arguing that taking into account the diversity of firms is at the core of understanding the relation between policy and productivity.

Curriculum vitae
Gaaitzen de Vries (Drachten, 1981) studied economics in Groningen. He conducted his PhD research at SOM Research School. Currently, De Vries is postdoc at teh department of International Economics and Business of the FEB. He will be awarded his PhD in economics and business on 16 September 2010 (4.15pm). Thesis supervisor is prof.dr. M.P. Timmer, and the thesis title: Productivity, firm heterogeneity, and policy reforms in Latin America.