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Measuring Competitiveness

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  • J. Peter Neary

Abstract

This paper reviews alternative approaches to measuring an economy's cost competitiveness and proposes some new measures inspired by the economic theory of index numbers. The indices provide a theoretical benchmark for estimated real effective exchange rates, but differ from standard measures in that they are based on marginal rather than average sectoral shares in GDP or employment. The use of the new indices is illustrated by some simple calculations that highlight the potential exposure of the Irish economy to fluctuations in the euro-sterling exchange rate.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Peter Neary, 2006. "Measuring Competitiveness," IMF Working Papers 2006/209, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2006/209
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Angela Cheptea & Lionel Fontagné & Soledad Zignago, 2014. "European export performance," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 150(1), pages 25-58, February.
    2. Nora Albu & Heike Joebges & Rudolf Zwiener, 2018. "Increasing competitiveness at any price?," IMK Working Paper 192-2018, IMK at the Hans Boeckler Foundation, Macroeconomic Policy Institute.
    3. Rentschler, Jun & Kornejew, Martin, 2017. "Energy price variation and competitiveness: Firm level evidence from Indonesia," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 242-254.
    4. Mr. Bogdan Lissovolik & Mr. Julio Escolano & Ms. Stefania Fabrizio & Mr. Werner Schule & Mr. Herman Z Bennett & Mr. Stephen Tokarick & Mr. Yuan Xiao & Ms. Marialuz Moreno Badia & Miss Eva Gutierrez & , 2008. "Competitiveness in the Southern Euro Area: France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain," IMF Working Papers 2008/112, International Monetary Fund.
    5. Mr. Herman Z Bennett & Ziga Zarnic, 2008. "International Competitiveness of the Mediterranean Quartet: A Heterogeneous-Product Approach," IMF Working Papers 2008/240, International Monetary Fund.
    6. Arvis, Jean-Francois, 2013. "How many dimensions do we trade in ? product space geometry and latent comparative advantage," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6478, The World Bank.
    7. Jules Leichter & Cristina Mocci & Stefania Pozzuoli, "undated". "Measuring External Competitiveness:An Overview," Working Papers 2, Department of the Treasury, Ministry of the Economy and of Finance.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    WP; consumer price index; price elasticity of supply;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F40 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - General
    • C43 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Index Numbers and Aggregation

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