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Product Diversification and Labor Productivity Dispersion in German Manufacturing Industries

Author

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  • Rene Söllner

    (Friedrich Schiller University Jena, DFG-RTG "The Economics of Innovative Change")

Abstract

Empirical research has shown tremendous productivity differences, even within narrowly defined industries. A great host of studies is explainsing this productivity disparity by factors such as idiosyncratic technology shocks, input price differences, management skills, or international trade. Although these explanations are undoubtedly important, the current paper suggests that product diversification strategies of firms can also play an important role. Using a matched producer-product panel dataset of German manufacturing industries over the period 2003-2006, we find that the average degree of product diversification across industry establishments is positively related to within-industry labor productivity dispersion.

Suggested Citation

  • Rene Söllner, 2010. "Product Diversification and Labor Productivity Dispersion in German Manufacturing Industries," Jena Economics Research Papers 2010-028, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.
    • Handle: RePEc:jrp:jrpwrp:2010-028
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Product Diversification; Productivity; Industrial Dynamics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance

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