The effect of structural change on the self-reliance and interdependence of aggregate sectors: the case of Spain, 1980–1994

The objective of this paper is to analyse structural and technological change in the Spanish economy between 1980 and 1994 using the input–output tables of 1980, 1986, 1990 and 1994. First we obtain and compare four linkage components throughout the period for each of the nine aggregate sectors in which the industries are grouped. Second, using Structural Decomposition Analysis, we obtain a technological effect and a demand effect for each of the previous components. These pressures show that the process of the technological modernisation of the Spanish economy is strongly linked to the growth of the high- and medium-technology industries and the service industries, and the different contribution of these industries to the improvement of productivity. On the one hand, the technology industries increase productivity by using better technologies. On the other hand, the service industries do not raise it significantly and even reduce it by increasing their unit costs.