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Extent and Evolution of the Productivity Gap in Eastern Germany

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  • Czarnitzki, Dirk

Abstract

Since the German re?unification in 1990, Eastern Germany is a transition economy. After a phase of catching up of productivity with respect to Western Germany from 1991 to 1996, the growth rates in the producing sector have dropped below the Western German ones since 1997. This study investigates whether this macroeconomic picture holds at the microeconomic level. For the special case of Eastern Germany, I suggest to identify productivity gaps by a comparison with Western Germany as a ?productivity benchmark?. Applying an econometric matching procedure allows to study the productivity gap at the firm level in detail. Besides labor and capital, other factors like innovation or firm ownership are taken into account. The macroeconomic facts are broadly confirmed: a significant gap still remains in recent years. Moreover innovators in Eastern Germany perform worse than their Western German pendants and firms owned by Western German or foreign companies perform better than Eastern German owned ones.

Suggested Citation

  • Czarnitzki, Dirk, 2003. "Extent and Evolution of the Productivity Gap in Eastern Germany," ZEW Discussion Papers 03-25, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:zewdip:1019
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    1. Mallok, Jörn, 2005. "Produktivitätsentwicklung in ostdeutschen Industriebetrieben : Ergebnisse einer Fallstudienanalyse (1992-2002) (Development of productivity in eastern German industrial enterprises : results of a case," Zeitschrift für ArbeitsmarktForschung - Journal for Labour Market Research, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 38(4), pages 510-530.
    2. Stephan, Johannes & Szalai, Karin, 2003. "Firm-Specific Determinants of Productivity Gaps between East and West German Industrial Branches," IWH Discussion Papers 183/2003, Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH).
    3. Mallok, Jörn, 2005. "Produktivitätsentwicklung in ostdeutschen Industriebetrieben : Ergebnisse einer Fallstudienanalyse (1992-2002) (Development of productivity in eastern German industrial enterprises : results of a case," Zeitschrift für ArbeitsmarktForschung - Journal for Labour Market Research, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 38(4), pages 510-530.
    4. Hussinger, Katrin, 2005. "Did Concentration on Core Competencies Drive Merger and Acquisition Activities in the 1990s? Empirical Evidence for Germany," ZEW Discussion Papers 05-41, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Productivity Gap; Eastern Germany; Non-parametric Matching;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General

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