Almost feels like what is meant here is some kind of effectiveness at solving problems and coming up with new "stuff" - not productivity in a classical sense,

Almost feels like what is meant here is some kind of effectiveness at solving problems and coming up with new "stuff" - not productivity in a classical sense, From my observation there is something to it as most efforts are directed towards efficiency which is much easier to tackle (removing frictions etc.). Effectiveness is often a far less certain endeavor and therefore a tougher sell prior to having the solution.