Construction of Symmetric Input-Output Tables Per Hour Worked: Methodological Issues and Approaches

The article deals with compilation of symmetric input-output tables per hour worked. The purpose of the paper is to show the process of transformation of classic monetary based input-output tables into physical tables based on hours worked. The paper describes both the possibilities and difficulties of available data sources and used methods. The presented model is based on published product x product symmetric inputoutput tables and data on hours worked from national accounts. Beside symmetric inputoutput tables, supply and use tables are used for obtaining product x industry structures. The model is based on the combination of square matrices of intermediate consumption broken down by products, an output matrix broken down by products x industries, and a vector of hours worked broken down by industries. The two approaches to the output matrix structure are a key issue for obtaining a tool for the transformation of data on hours worked in a specific industry into a specific product. These physical symmetric input-output tables are used as a powerful tool for the analysis of labour productivity and labour intensity.