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Regional productivity differentials in England: Explaining the gap

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  • Don J. Webber
  • John Hudson
  • Martin Boddy
  • Anthony Plumridge

Abstract

Significant and persistent differences in regional productivity exist across most countries and are the subject of academic and policy concern. We use plant‐level data to examine the determinants of regional productivity differentials across regions of England and demonstrate that substantial differences in regional productivity can be explained by a fairly limited set of variables, including industry mix, capital stock, ownership and skills. Location‐specific factors of travel time and population density are also identified as being important. Resumen Existen diferencias persistentes y significativas en la productividad regional en la mayoría de países y son tema de preocupación académica y política. Utilizamos datos a nivel de fábrica para examinar los determinantes de diferenciales de productividad regional entre regiones de Inglaterra y demostrar que las diferencias sustanciales en productividad regional pueden ser explicadas por un conjunto de variables bastante limitado, incluyendo la mezcla de industrias, stock de capital, propiedad y habilidades. Los factores específicos de localización en duración de desplazamiento al trabajo y densidad de población se han identificado también como importantes.

Suggested Citation

  • Don J. Webber & John Hudson & Martin Boddy & Anthony Plumridge, 2009. "Regional productivity differentials in England: Explaining the gap," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 88(3), pages 609-621, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:presci:v:88:y:2009:i:3:p:609-621
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1435-5957.2008.00209.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Bernadette Power & Justin Doran & Geraldine Ryan, 2019. "The effect of agglomeration economies on firm deaths: A comparison of firm and regional based approaches," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 56(16), pages 3358-3374, December.
    3. Pamela Lenton, 2011. "Part time employment and happiness: A cross-country analysis," Working Papers 2011001, The University of Sheffield, Department of Economics, revised Jan 2011.

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