Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/153864 
Year of Publication: 
2012
Series/Report no.: 
ECB Working Paper No. 1431
Publisher: 
European Central Bank (ECB), Frankfurt a. M.
Abstract: 
Sizable prevailing real economic disparities among countries in a currency union potentially involve costs for those countries for which the aggregate policy stance is not appropriate. This paper contributes to the literature by testing for productivity convergence among euro area countries. While no convergence can be found on the aggregate level, selected service sectors and manufacturing sub-industries indicate evidence of convergence. In a search for factors influencing productivity, investments in research and development as well as a high skill level of employees are shown to be beneficial whereas regulations constitute a burden. Consequently, euro area countries should engage in structural reforms where necessary to provide a more competitive environment, eventually facilitating economic convergence.
Subjects: 
convergence
manufacturing and service sector
panel unit root test
productivity
JEL: 
C33
O47
J24
L60
L80
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.