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Convergence as a heterogeneous process: what can be learnt about convergence in EMU from regional experiences?

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  • Matthias Firgo
  • Peter Huber

Abstract

We augment the existing literature on regional convergence by uncovering a number of stylized facts on the heterogeneity of regional convergence processes in the absence of currency devaluation as a key policy instrument, and use them to highlight reform strategies that are most likely to be conducive to a successful catching-up of the periphery countries of EMU. We show that regional convergence processes in Europe were extremely heterogeneous, highly discontinuous and strongly concentrated during the last two decades. These stylized facts question the focus of the traditional literature on average (β-)convergence and suggest substantial nonlinearities in regional convergence processes that have yet to be understood in detail. Our results further suggest that growth strategies based on increasing human capital investments and innovation capacities are the most likely to be successful in triggering convergence of lagging regions in currency unions. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014

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  • Matthias Firgo & Peter Huber, 2014. "Convergence as a heterogeneous process: what can be learnt about convergence in EMU from regional experiences?," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 41(2), pages 129-151, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:empiri:v:41:y:2014:i:2:p:129-151
    DOI: 10.1007/s10663-013-9242-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Matthias Firgo & Peter Mayerhofer, 2015. "Wissens-Spillovers und regionale Entwicklung - welche strukturpolitische Ausrichtung optimiert des Wachstum?," Working Paper Reihe der AK Wien - Materialien zu Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft 144, Kammer für Arbeiter und Angestellte für Wien, Abteilung Wirtschaftswissenschaft und Statistik.
    2. Christos Kollias & Petros Messis, 2020. "Are future enlargement candidate countries converging with the EU?," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 47(3), pages 453-473, August.
    3. Matthias Firgo & Peter Mayerhofer, 2015. "Wissensintensive Unternehmensdienste, Wissens-Spillovers und regionales Wachstum. Teilprojekt 1: Wissens-Spillovers und regionale Entwicklung – Welche strukturpolitische Ausrichtung optimiert das Wach," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 58342.
    4. Inmaculada C. Alvarez & Javier Barbero & Luis Orea & Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, 2023. "How institutions shape the economic returns of public investment in European regions," Efficiency Series Papers 2023/03, University of Oviedo, Department of Economics, Oviedo Efficiency Group (OEG).
    5. Wagner Martin & Zeileis Achim, 2019. "Heterogeneity and Spatial Dependence of Regional Growth in the EU: A Recursive Partitioning Approach," German Economic Review, De Gruyter, vol. 20(1), pages 67-82, February.
    6. Karl Aiginger & Matthias Firgo, 2015. "Regional Competitiveness Under New Perspectives. WWWforEurope Policy Paper No. 26," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 58501.
    7. Peter Mayerhofer & Matthias Firgo & Stefan Schönfelder, 2015. "Vierter Bericht zur internationalen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit Wiens," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 60625.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Regional convergence; Within-country development; Extreme growth events; Currency unions; O52; R11; R58;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O52 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Europe
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy

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