Regional labor productivity in The Netherlands:Evidence of agglomeration and congestion effects

This paper studies the impact of localization, urbanization, and diversification on regional labor productivity levels and growth. We find substantial effects, accounting for roughly half of the explained variation in the labor productivity differences within the Netherlands in the 1990s. Diversification, urbanization, and localization effects are significant and positive for productivity levels. These levels appear cointegrated. The error correction specification of productivity growth surprisingly reflects negative agglomeration effects. From the theoretical model it follows that congestion effects must have taken precedence over agglomeration effects during this period. Both agglomeration and congestion effects are dampened by job density in neighboring regions. Finally, policy simulations with the estimated model show that spatial concentration is more harmful to national productivity growth than spatial dispersion

Foreign Direct Investment and Regional Economic Performance

Although foreign direct investment into developed economies continues to show dramatic growth, little consensus exists over either its national or regional impacts. The lack of empirical evidence, particularly on a sub-national level, adds to the uncertainty over the efficacy of regional development strategies focused on attracting foreign investment. The present research uses book value and employment measures of U.S. state-level FDI activity to assess the impact of foreign capital on regional growth and productivity performance. The results imply a vital role for FDI in stimulating regions within well-integrated, developed economies. Copyright 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd..