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Testing for Conditional Convergence in Variance and Skewness: The Firm Size Distribution Revisited

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  • Peter Huber
  • Michael Pfaffermayr

Abstract

This article derives generalized method of moment‐based Wald tests for conditional convergence in terms of the second and third central moments (conditional σ‐ and ζ‐convergence). Monte Carlo simulations indicate that the proposed tests are properly sized and equipped with enough power for sample sizes in excess of 1,000 observations. We apply the Wald tests to a comprehensive sample of Austrian firms. The estimation results indicate a substantial reduction in both the second and third central moments of log firm size over time for the younger age cohorts. For older ones, the log‐normal distribution is a valid description of their size distribution.

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  • Peter Huber & Michael Pfaffermayr, 2010. "Testing for Conditional Convergence in Variance and Skewness: The Firm Size Distribution Revisited," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 72(5), pages 648-668, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:obuest:v:72:y:2010:i:5:p:648-668
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0084.2010.00595.x
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    3. Huber, Peter & Oberhofer, Harald & Pfaffermayr, Michael, 2017. "Who creates jobs? Econometric modeling and evidence for Austrian firm level data," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 57-71.
    4. Peter Huber & Harald Oberhofer & Michael Pfaffermayr, 2014. "Job creation and the intra-distribution dynamics of the firm size distribution," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 23(1), pages 171-197, February.
    5. Amini, Shahram & Battisti, Michele & Parmeter, Christopher F., 2017. "Decomposing changes in the conditional variance of GDP over time," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 376-387.
    6. Peter Huber & Harald Oberhofer & Michael Pfaffermayr, 2012. "Who Creates Jobs? Estimating Job Creation Rates at the Firm Level," WIFO Working Papers 435, WIFO.
    7. Elisabeth Christen & Michael Pfaffermayr & Yvonne Wolfmayr, 2019. "Trade Costs in Services: Firm Survival, Firm Growth and Implied Changes in Employment," CESifo Working Paper Series 8008, CESifo.
    8. Werner Hölzl & Peter Huber, 2014. "Firm Level Job Creation Rates Over The Business Cycle," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 4(6), pages 837-852, June.
    9. Shahram Amini & Michele Battisti & Christopher F. Parmeter, 2011. "Decomposing The Conditional Variance of Cross-Country Output," Working Papers 2011-18, University of Miami, Department of Economics.
    10. Fazio, Giorgio & Piacentino, Davide, 2018. "Convergence analysis for hierarchical longitudinal data," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 89-99.

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