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Heterogeneity in the productivity of French construction firms: A multilevel analysis

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  • Abdoulaye Kané
  • Nadine Levratto

Abstract

This paper investigates how local factors at the local and firm levels affect French construction firms' productivity (labour productivity and total factor productivity). We use a multilevel model to disentangle firm-specific and location-specific effects. The results cover the period 2009-2019 and confirm the importance of firm-specific determinants of productivity, mainly age and size. Our results also emphasise the influence of location and local characteristics. We find that the local unemployment rate hurts productivity, and our results bring some evidence of the existence of positive external agglomeration effects. These results remain robust to analysis by company size.

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  • Abdoulaye Kané & Nadine Levratto, 2025. "Heterogeneity in the productivity of French construction firms: A multilevel analysis," EconomiX Working Papers 2025-19, University of Paris Nanterre, EconomiX.
    • Handle: RePEc:drm:wpaper:2025-19
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    JEL classification:

    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • L74 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Primary Products and Construction - - - Construction
    • R15 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Econometric and Input-Output Models; Other Methods

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