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Spatial Inequality in Productivity in the European Union: Sectoral and Regional Factors

Author

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  • Roberto Ezcurra

    (Department of Economics, Universidad Pública de Navarra, Campus de Arrosadia s/n., Pamplona, Spain, roberto.ezcurra@unavarra.es)

  • Pedro Pascual

    (Department of Economics, Universidad Pública de Navarra, Campus de Arrosadia s/n., Pamplona, Spain, ppascual@unavarra.es)

  • Manuel Rapún

    (Department of Economics, Universidad Pública de Navarra, Campus de Arrosadia s/n., Pamplona, Spain, mrapun@unavarra.es)

Abstract

To gain a deeper insight into territorial imbalances existing in the European Union, the authors analyzedthe evolution of regional disparitiesin productivity between 1977 and 1999. The results obtained reveal an overall decrease in regional inequality in productivity throughout the study period, even though the density functions estimated suggest the existence of some degree of polarization in the regional distribution of output per worker. The article also examines the role played by sectoral and regional factorsin productivity convergence, using a combination of shift-share analysis and various theoretical results obtained in the literature on personal income distribution. The analysis shows that regional inequality in output per worker in the European Unionis closelylinkedtointrinsic dif ferences between regions. Likewise,the empirical evidence highlights the importance of the national component and spatial location in accounting for observed dif ferences in sectoral productivity across the European regions. Finally, the findings supportthe relevance of one-sector growth modelsto explain per capitaincome disparitiesinthe European context.

Suggested Citation

  • Roberto Ezcurra & Pedro Pascual & Manuel Rapún, 2007. "Spatial Inequality in Productivity in the European Union: Sectoral and Regional Factors," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 30(4), pages 384-407, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:inrsre:v:30:y:2007:i:4:p:384-407
    DOI: 10.1177/0160017606286424
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    3. Matthias Figo & Peter Mayerhofer, 2015. "Strukturwandel und regionales Wachstum - wissensintensive Unternehmensdienste als Wachstumsmotor?," Working Paper Reihe der AK Wien - Materialien zu Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft 145, Kammer für Arbeiter und Angestellte für Wien, Abteilung Wirtschaftswissenschaft und Statistik.
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    5. Peter Mayerhofer & Matthias Firgo, 2015. "Wissensintensive Unternehmensdienste, Wissens-Spillovers und regionales Wachstum. Teilprojekt 2: Strukturwandel und regionales Wachstum – Wissensintensive Unternehmensdienste als "Wachstumsmotor&," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 58503.
    6. Jurgen Essletzbichler & Kazuo Kadokawa, 2010. "The Evolution of Regional Labour Productivities in Japanese Manufacturing, 1968-2004," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(9), pages 1189-1205.
    7. Lin, Gang & Jiang, Dong & Fu, Jingying & Wang, Di & Li, Xiang, 2019. "A spatial shift-share decomposition of energy consumption changes in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
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