en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Productivity_paradox
2 corrections found
The term was coined by Erik Brynjolfsson in a 1993 paper ("The Productivity Paradox of IT")
This term was in use before 1993. Published sources show "productivity paradox" appearing in 1986, and Brynjolfsson himself used the phrase in a 1989 conference paper.
Full reasoning
The claim says Brynjolfsson coined the term in 1993, but the phrase appears in earlier published sources.
- Harvard Business Review published an article titled "The Productivity Paradox" in July 1986, seven years before the 1993 paper.
- Brynjolfsson himself also used the phrase earlier: the AIS eLibrary lists his 1989 ICIS proceedings contribution as "PANEL 12 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE PRODUCTIVITY PARADOX."
That means the term was already in circulation before 1993, so the 1993 paper did not coin it. A more accurate description would be that Brynjolfsson's 1993 article helped formalize or popularize the IT productivity-paradox literature, not that it originated the term.
2 sources
- The Productivity Paradox
Harvard Business Review: "The Productivity Paradox" by Wickham Skinner. From the Magazine (July 1986).
- "PANEL 12 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE PRODUCTIVITY PARADOX" by Erik Brynjolfsson
AIS eLibrary lists Erik Brynjolfsson, "PANEL 12 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE PRODUCTIVITY PARADOX" (1989).
the most recent data in 2022
2022 is no longer the most recent productivity data. BLS has published newer productivity releases, including 2024 industry data and 2025 aggregate productivity updates.
Full reasoning
This phrase is now outdated and incorrect. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has published productivity data more recent than 2022.
- The BLS Productivity home page lists releases for 2024, 2025, and even first quarter 2026.
- BLS also published "Total Factor Productivity for Major Industries – 2024" in December 2025.
So describing 2022 as "the most recent data" is no longer accurate.
2 sources
- Productivity Home Page : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
BLS lists current releases including: "Productivity increases 0.8% in Q1 2026" and "Total factor productivity increases 0.8% in 2025, following a 1.5% increase in 2024."
- Total Factor Productivity for Major Industries – 2024
BLS news release dated December 19, 2025: "TOTAL FACTOR PRODUCTIVITY FOR MAJOR INDUSTRIES – 2024."