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Convergence and Regional Productivity Divide in Italy: Evidence from Panel Data

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  • Aiello, Francesco
  • Scoppa, Vincenzo

Abstract

Using a panel data model to control for differences in regional technological levels and to take into account endogeneity, we find two key results for the growth of Italian regions. Firstly, we show that the rate of conditional convergence of each region is much higher (from 12% to 18% according to specifications) than that estimated in standard cross-section regressions (2%). Secondly, a large part of productivity gaps across regions cannot be imputed to differences in physical or human capital but it is rather related to relevant differences in Total Factor Productivity (TFP).

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  • Aiello, Francesco & Scoppa, Vincenzo, 2008. "Convergence and Regional Productivity Divide in Italy: Evidence from Panel Data," MPRA Paper 17343, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:17343
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    Cited by:

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    2. Silvia Dal Bianco, 2009. "A Reassessment of Italian Regional Convergence through a Non-Parametric Approach," Quaderni di Dipartimento 099, University of Pavia, Department of Economics and Quantitative Methods.
    3. Pompei, Fabrizio, 2013. "Efficiency And Productivity Growth Across The Italian Regions: The Regional Divide Revisited," MPRA Paper 52052, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Marie-Noelle Duquenne & Maria Tsiapa & Valantis Tsiakos, 2019. "Contribution of the Common Agricultural Policy to agricultural productivity of EU regions during 2004–2012 period," Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies, INRA Department of Economics, vol. 100(1-4), pages 47-68.
    5. Davide Piacentino, 2008. "Productivity, Infrastructures and Convergence: Panel Data Evidence on Italian Regions," SCIENZE REGIONALI, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2008(2), pages 5-26.
    6. Aiello, Francesco & Pupo, Valeria, 2012. "Structural funds and the economic divide in Italy," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 403-418.
    7. Shubin Yang & Sandra Lancheros & Chris Milner, 2021. "Technological Catch-up to the National and Regional Frontier: Firm-level Evidence for India," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(8), pages 1303-1320, August.
    8. Davide Piacentino & Erasmo Vassallo, 2011. "Exploring the sources of labour productivity growth and convergence in the Italian regions: some evidence from a production frontier approach," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 46(2), pages 469-486, April.
    9. Stefano Magrini, 2007. "Analysing Convergence through the Distribution Dynamics Approach: Why and how?," Working Papers 2007_13, Department of Economics, University of Venice "Ca' Foscari".
    10. Stefania Cosci & Loredana Mirra, 2018. "A spatial analysis of growth and convergence in Italian provinces: the role of road infrastructure," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(4), pages 516-527, April.
    11. Daniele, Vittorio, 2007. "Divari regionali e crescita del Mezzogiorno, 1980-2004 [Sources of growth and convergence among Italian regions 1980-2004]," MPRA Paper 4994, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 02 Aug 2007.
    12. Francesco Aiello & Valeria Pupo, 2009. "L’Impatto Dei Fondi Strutturali In Italia," Working Papers 200901, Università della Calabria, Dipartimento di Economia, Statistica e Finanza "Giovanni Anania" - DESF.
    13. Valeria Pupo & Francesco Aiello, 2009. "L'impatto della politica regionale dell'Unione Europea. Uno studio sulle regioni italiane," Rivista italiana degli economisti, Società editrice il Mulino, issue 3, pages 421-454.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    economic growth; convergence; regional TFP heterogeneity; Italy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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