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Similarities and Differences in Competitiveness Among European NUTS2 Regions: An Empirical Analysis Based on 2010–2013 Data

Author

Listed:
  • Massimo Aria

    (University of Naples Federico II)

  • Giuseppe Lucio Gaeta

    (University of Naples L’ Orientale
    Local Development and Internationalization)

  • Ugo Marani

    (University of Naples L’ Orientale)

Abstract

Regional competitiveness is a concept whose definition and applicability is highly debated among scholars. Nevertheless, over recent years it has become widespread among policy makers and practitioners, especially in the European Union. In line with this diffusion a number of alternative composite indicators of regional competitiveness have been released. Instead of building a composite index, this paper carries out empirical analyses whose aim is to analyze the European NUTS2 regions’ performance for those indicators that, according to the literature, contribute to the definition of competitiveness. Results highlight the existence of a competitiveness divide between Northern European countries, which report better performances for most of the competitiveness indicators, and Southern/Eastern ones. The group of more competitive regions expands over time by including regions from Centre European countries while within peripheral regions a stable gap between regions where metropolitan areas are located and the others exists.

Suggested Citation

  • Massimo Aria & Giuseppe Lucio Gaeta & Ugo Marani, 2019. "Similarities and Differences in Competitiveness Among European NUTS2 Regions: An Empirical Analysis Based on 2010–2013 Data," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 142(1), pages 431-450, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:142:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-018-1909-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-018-1909-0
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    2. De Toni, Andrea & Vizzarri, Matteo & Di Febbraro, Mirko & Lasserre, Bruno & Noguera, Joan & Di Martino, Paolo, 2021. "Aligning Inner Peripheries with rural development in Italy: Territorial evidence to support policy contextualization," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    3. KYDROS Dimitrios & FILENTA Pagona, 2022. "Literature Review of Economic and Regional Development through Quantitative Methods and Social Network Analysis," European Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Bucharest Economic Academy, issue 01, March.
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    5. Antonio Abatemarco & Massimo Aria & Sergio Beraldo & Francesca Stroffolini, 2020. "Measuring Disparities in Access to Health Care: A Proposal Based on an Ex-ante Perspective," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 150(2), pages 549-568, July.
    6. Vadim V. Krivorotov & Alexei V. Kalina & S.E. Erypalov, 2022. "Modern Assessment and Forecast Prospects of the Competitiveness of the World's Largest Manufacturers of Copper Products," Journal of Applied Economic Research, Graduate School of Economics and Management, Ural Federal University, vol. 21(4), pages 734-774.

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