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How to measure the unobservable: a panel technique for the analysis of TFP convergence

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Author Info
Adriana Di Liberto
Francesco Pigliaru
Roberto Mura

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Abstract

This paper proposes a fixed-effect panel methodology that enables us to simultaneously take into account both TFP convergence and the traditional neoclassical-type of convergence. We analyse a sample of Italian regions between 1963 and 1993 and find strong evidence that both mechanisms were at work during the process of aggregate regional convergence observed in Italy up to the mid-seventies. Finally, we find that our TFP estimates are highly positively correlated with standard human capital measures, where the latter is not statistically significant in growth regressions. This evidence confirms one of the hypotheses of the Nelson and Phelps approach, namely that human capital is the main determinant of technological catch-up. Our results are robust to the use of different estimation procedures such as simple LSDV, Kiviet-corrected LSDV, and GMM à la Arellano and Bond. Copyright 2008 , Oxford University Press.

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File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/oep/gpm022
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Article provided by Oxford University Press in its journal Oxford Economic Papers.

Volume (Year): 60 (2008)
Issue (Month): 2 (April)
Pages: 343-368
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Handle: RePEc:oup:oxecpp:v:60:y:2008:i:2:p:343-368

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References listed on IDEAS
Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
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Full references

Cited by:
(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)

  1. Antonelli Cristiano & Scellato Giuseppe, 2009. "Localized introduction of biased technological change and productivity growth. The empirical evidence in the Italian manufacturing industry," Dipartimento di Economia "S. Cognetti de Martiis" LEI & BRICK - Laboratorio di economia dell'innovazione "Franco Momigliano", Bureau of Research in Innovation, Complexity and Knowledge, Collegio Carlo 200908, University of Turin. [Downloadable!]
  2. Aiello, Francesco & Scoppa, Vincenzo, 2008. "Convergence and Regional Productivity Divide in Italy: Evidence from Panel Data," MPRA Paper 17343, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
  3. Scoppa, Vincenzo, 2007. "Quality of Human and Physical Capital and Technological Gaps across Italian Regions," MPRA Paper 15740, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
  4. Marco Maffezzoli, 2004. "Convergence Across Italian Regions and the Role of Technological Catch-Up," Working Papers 274, IGIER (Innocenzo Gasparini Institute for Economic Research), Bocconi University. [Downloadable!]
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  6. Daniele, Vittorio, 2007. "Divari regionali e crescita del Mezzogiorno, 1980-2004
    [Sources of growth and convergence among Italian regions 1980-2004]
    ," MPRA Paper 4994, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 02 Aug 2007. [Downloadable!]
  7. Vincenzo Scoppa, 2009. "Technological Catch-Up Or Neoclassical Convergence? Identifying The Channels Of Convergence For Italian Regions," Working Papers 200904, Università della Calabria, Dipartimento di Economia e Statistica. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  8. Isabel Cortes-Jimenez, 2006. "Tourism and Economic Growth At Regional Level: the Cases of Spain and Italy," ERSA conference papers ersa06p61, European Regional Science Association. [Downloadable!]
  9. Aiello, Francesco & Pupo, Valeria, 2009. "Structural Funds and Economic Divide in Italy," MPRA Paper 17853, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  10. Adriana Di Liberto & Francesco Pigliaru & P. Chelucci, 2008. "International TFP Dynamics and Human Capital Stocks: a Panel Data Analysis, 1960-2003," Working Paper CRENoS 200812, Centre for North South Economic Research, University of Cagliari and Sassari, Sardinia. [Downloadable!]
  11. Gerardo Marletto, 2006. "La politica dei trasporti come politica per l’innovazione: spunti da un approccio evolutivo," Working Paper CRENoS 200605, Centre for North South Economic Research, University of Cagliari and Sassari, Sardinia. [Downloadable!]
  12. Fabio Cerina & Francesco Pigliaru, 2005. "Agglomeration and Growth in the NEG: a critical assessment," Working Paper CRENoS 200510, Centre for North South Economic Research, University of Cagliari and Sassari, Sardinia. [Downloadable!]
  13. Massimo Del Gatto & Adriana Di Liberto & C. Petraglia, 2008. "Measuring Productivity," Working Paper CRENoS 200818, Centre for North South Economic Research, University of Cagliari and Sassari, Sardinia. [Downloadable!]
  14. Aiello, Francesco & Pupo, Valeria, 2009. "Capacità di gestione, efficienza istituzionale e impatto dei Fondi Strutturali in Italia
    [The Impact of Structural Funds in Italy]
    ," MPRA Paper 14429, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
  15. Rosa Bernardini Papalia & Silvia Bertarelli, 2009. "Decomposing productivity patterns in a conditional convergence framework," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 31(1), pages 57-75, February. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  16. OA. Carboni & G. Medda, 2007. "Government Size and the Composition of Public Spending in a Neoclassical Growth Model," Working Paper CRENoS 200701, Centre for North South Economic Research, University of Cagliari and Sassari, Sardinia. [Downloadable!]
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