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Returns to Scale for EU Regional Manufacturing

Author

Listed:
  • Alvaro Angeriz
  • John McCombie
  • Mark Roberts

Abstract

Recent theoretical advances have emphasised the importance of localised increasing returns to scale in understanding both the regional growth and agglomeration processes. However, considerable empirical controversy still exists over whether returns to scale are constant or increasing. Consequently, this study aims to provide some new estimates of the degree of returns to scale for EU regional manufacturing. It does so within the framework of the Verdoorn law. Unlike previous studies, issues of specification of fundamental importance to recent theoretical developments are brought to attention. Overall, the paper concludes that localised increasing returns in EU regional manufacturing are substantial.

Suggested Citation

  • Alvaro Angeriz & John McCombie & Mark Roberts, 2008. "Returns to Scale for EU Regional Manufacturing," Working Papers 20, Queen Mary, University of London, School of Business and Management, Centre for Globalisation Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:cgs:wpaper:20
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    File URL: http://cgr.sbm.qmul.ac.uk/CGRWP20.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    increasing returns; Verdoorn law; manufacturing; productivity growth; spatial econometrics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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