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Investigating the Relationship between Company Competitiveness and Environmental Regulation in European Food Processing: Results of a Matched Firm Comparison

Author

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  • D M W N Hitchens
  • J E Birnie
  • A McGowan
  • U Triebswetter

    (IFO, Poschingerstrasse S, 8 1679 München 80, Germany)

  • A Cottica

    (Eco and Eco, Strada Maggiore 29, Bologna 40125, Italy)

Abstract

The authors use a method of matched-plant comparisons between food processing firms in Germany, Italy, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland to investigate the relationship between environmental regulation and company competitiveness across the European Union. Comparative competitiveness was indicated by measures of value-added per employee, physical productivity, export share, and employment growth. The cost of water supply (public or well), effluent treatment (in-plant treatment and/or sewerage system), and disposal of sludge and packaging were also compared. Total environmental costs in Germany, Italy, and Ireland were small: usually less than 1% of turnover. Compared with the Irish firms, German companies had relatively high environmental costs as well as productivity levels. There was, however, a lack of a clear relationship between company competitiveness and the size of regulation costs: in Ireland and Italy environmental costs were similar but German firms had much higher productivity; compared with German counterparts, Italian firms had lower environmental costs but higher productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • D M W N Hitchens & J E Birnie & A McGowan & U Triebswetter & A Cottica, 1998. "Investigating the Relationship between Company Competitiveness and Environmental Regulation in European Food Processing: Results of a Matched Firm Comparison," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 30(9), pages 1585-1602, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:30:y:1998:i:9:p:1585-1602
    DOI: 10.1068/a301585
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Scott, Susan & Lawlor, John, 1994. "Waste Water Services: Charging Industry the Capital Cost," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number PRS22.
    2. Irving B. Kravis & Robert E. Lipsey, 1971. "Price Competitiveness in World Trade," NBER Books, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc, number krav71-1.
    3. Adam B. Jaffe et al., 1995. "Environmental Regulation and the Competitiveness of U.S. Manufacturing: What Does the Evidence Tell Us?," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 33(1), pages 132-163, March.
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    1. Vermeire, Bert & Gellynck, Xavier, 2007. "Contribution of Cluster Relations to Food Competitiveness in the EU," 2007 1st Forum, February 15-17, 2007, Innsbruck, Austria 6583, International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks.

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