Productivity growth has decreased in many countries in recent decades, including Sweden. This trend is concerning as productivity growth is fundamental for long-term prosperity. What factors are important for companies to invest? How may government support and industrial policy impact productivity, competition, and trade? And, importantly, how can we best ensure the development of tomorrow’s competencies?
In the SNS research project “Productivity, Competitiveness, and Sustainable Growth”, we aim to broaden our perspective, delving into the long-term conditions for higher productivity, enhanced competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth.
The project is funded with support from the Bertil Edlund Foundation.
Ongoing Studies
The Swedish Productivity Miracle
Sweden has long been one of the world’s most productive economies, but technological breakthroughs do not automatically translate into productivity miracles. In the book The Swedish Productivity Miracle, published by Natur & Kultur in collaboration with SNS, Lars Persson explores how Sweden’s productivity growth can be understood and what is needed to sustain it. Through four stories from Swedish business history – the small businesses of Gnosjö, Ericsson’s telecommunications ecosystem, Atlas Copco’s organisational structure and the downfall of Facit – the book combines business history with economic analysis.
Author: Lars Persson, Professor and Deputy Director at the Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN).
Published by: Natur & Kultur in collaboration with SNS.
Launch: January 2027
Contact persons
Louise Lorentzon works on research projects on crime and productivity. She holds a PhD in economics from Stockholm University.
Research Director, PhD
Louise Lorentzon
Reports and seminars
Completed and published
Reference group Productivity, Competitiveness, and Sustainable Growth
- AstraZeneca
- Engineers of Sweden
- Ericsson
- Google Sweden
- Innovation and Chemical Industries in Sweden (IKEM)
- Luleå Kommunföretag
- Mellby Gård
- Ministry of Finance
- Nasdaq
- NCC
- Nordic Capital
- Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth
- Swedish Competition Authority
- Swedish Intellectual Property Office
- Swedish Transport Administration
- The Association of Swedish Engineering Industries
- The National Board of Trade
- The Swedish Agency for Innovation Systems (Vinnova)
- Uniper
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