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Technological Catching Up, Quality of Exports, and Competitiveness: A Sectoral Perspective

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  • Eleonora Cavallaro
  • Piero Esposito
  • Alessia Matano
  • Marcella Mulino

Abstract

We analyze the relationship between Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) industry-level competitiveness and technological catching up induced by economic integration with European Union (EU) economies. A theoretical dynamic setup is developed in which high-skill firms gain market share in "quality dominated" markets, whereas low-skill firms face price competition for their exports. We run econometric estimations for bilateral trade between CEEC and EU economies over 2000-2007. We first test the assumption that the unit value ratio is a good proxy for quality in trade and then use the fitted unit value ratio to estimate the role of preference for quality in CEEC market share changes. Estimations support the results of the theoretical model.

Suggested Citation

  • Eleonora Cavallaro & Piero Esposito & Alessia Matano & Marcella Mulino, 2013. "Technological Catching Up, Quality of Exports, and Competitiveness: A Sectoral Perspective," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(6), pages 4-21, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:mes:emfitr:v:49:y:2013:i:6:p:4-21
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    3. Arta MULLIQI, 2021. "The role of education in explaining technology-intensive exports: a comparative analysis of transition and non-transition economies," Eastern Journal of European Studies, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 12, pages 141-172, June.
    4. Cavallaro, Eleonora & Cutrini, Eleonora, 2019. "Distance and beyond: What drives financial flows to emerging economies?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 533-550.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    international competitiveness; knowledge spillovers; product quality; vertical innovation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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