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Is there a limit to agglomeration? Evidence from productivity of Dutch firms

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  • Rizov, Marian
  • Oskam, Arie
  • Walsh, Paul

Abstract

We compute aggregate productivity of three categories of regions, classified by the level of urbanization and density of economic activity in the Netherlands, from firm-specific total factor productivity (TFP) measures. TFP measures are estimated by a semi-parametric algorithm, within 2-digit industries, covering agriculture, manufacturing, construction, trade and services, using AMADEUS data over the period 1997–2006. We analyse the productivity differentials across urbanization categories by decomposing them into industry productivity effect and industry composition effect. Our analysis indicates that there is non-linear net effect of agglomeration on productivity growth but in levels agglomeration is associated with higher productivity.

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  • Rizov, Marian & Oskam, Arie & Walsh, Paul, 2012. "Is there a limit to agglomeration? Evidence from productivity of Dutch firms," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 42(4), pages 595-606.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:regeco:v:42:y:2012:i:4:p:595-606
    DOI: 10.1016/j.regsciurbeco.2012.02.006
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Agglomeration; Factor prices; Total factor productivity; Structural estimation; The Netherlands;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • R30 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - General

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