Comparing Investment and Employment Specialisation Patterns of EU Regions

This study analyses relative sectoral specialisation of EU regions on the basis of investment and employment patterns. Controlling for heteroscedasticity and potential endogeneity in the econometric analysis, we find that relative specialisation in manufacturing sectors is higher in central regions. Relative specialisation in services sectors, instead, is stronger in administrative centres as well as peripheral regions. A higher local level of sectoral economies of scale and of productivity strongly increases relative investments in manufacturing sectors. Lower (higher) regional labour costs attract, in particular, higher relative employment shares in labour-intensive (human capital-intensive) sectors. --Regional Specialisation,Sectoral Investments,Sectoral Employment,Cross-Section Time-Series Regressions

A Spatial Econometric Analysis of Regional Specialisation Patterns Across EU Regions

This paper conducts a spatial econometric analysis of the determinants of regional specialisation patterns. Spatial autocorrelation is present, but is mostly due to spatial error autocorrelation. Spatial interaction due to economic interdependencies is only evident for some few labour-intensive sectors. Hereby, sectoral specialisation of a region seems to be positively influenced by the one of surrounding regions. However, we cannot identify clear disadvantageous spatial interdependencies of specialisation in the periphery or increasing core-periphery tendencies. --Regional Specialisation,Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis,Spatial Econometrics

Explaining the Level of Relative Investment Specialisation: A Spatial Econometric Analysis of EU Regions

This paper analyses the level of relative specialisation in terms of gross fixed capital formation in EU regions. Larger market and regional sizes diminish; a higher unemployment rate, population density, the fact of being a central region, the distance to the economic centre, and economic liberalisation increase the level of specialisation. These results are not sensitive to differing formulations of the specialisation indicator. Accounting for spatial dependence by the use of spatial econometric tools, negative spatial interactions probably due to data inconsistencies are present. However, the results of classical econometric estimates are robust. --Economic Geography,Regional Economics,Capital Allocation,Spatial Econometric Analysis

Relative specialisation of EU regions: an econometric analysis of sectoral gross fixed capital formation

This paper analyses the level of relative specialisation in terms of gross fixed capital formation in EU regions for the period between 1985 and 1994. Controlling for heteroscedasticity and potential endogeneity problems, we get consistent econometric results. Larger market and regional sizes diminish relative investment specialisation while a higher unemployment rate, population density, the fact of being a central region, the distance to the economic centre, and economic liberalisation increase its level. The variation of the specialisation level of one region over time, however, cannot be explained econometrically, it thus might underlie random disturbances. --Economic Geography,Regional Economics,Capital Allocation,Panel Data Analysis

Agglomeration tendencies in EU regions: where does capital go?

This paper focuses on two aspects being neglected in the analysis of agglomeration tendencies so far. First, it regards regional agglomeration patterns and secondly, the allocation of capital across industrial sectors. Indeed, the average relative concentration of capital turns out to be of a higher level and variability than the one of employment in 1985-94. Regions marked by a relatively high uneven allocation of capital are also subject to lower economic performance than regions marked by a relatively low capital concentration. Though direct investments in services represent a large share of direct investments in the 1990s, relative specialisation in services is rather low, but steadily increasing from 1985-94 in EU countries and regions. --Regional Economics,Direct Investment,Capital Allocation,Factor Mobility

What Determines Relative Sectoral Investment Patterns in EU Regions?

This study analyses relative sectoral investment patterns in EU regions. In an exploratory spatial data analysis, spatial clusters of high relative investments can be identified for some sectors. In the econometric analysis, we control for heteroscedasticity and potential endogeneity and find that investments in manufacturing sectors are attracted by central regions, investments in services sectors, instead, by administrative centres as well as regions far away from their national administrative centre. A higher local level of sectoral economies of scale and of productivity strongly increases investments in manufacturing sectors. Labour cost differentials, however, are insignificant in explaining the location of relative sectoral investments. --Regional Specialisation,Sectoral Investments,Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis,Cross-Section Time-Series Regressions

Explaining the Level of Relative Investment Specialisation: A Spatial Econometric Analysis of EU Regions

This paper analyses the level of relative specialisation in terms of gross fixed capital formation in EU regions. Larger market and regional sizes diminish; a higher unemployment rate, population density, the fact of being a central region, the distance to the economic centre, and economic liberalisation increase the level of specialisation. These results are not sensitive to differing formulations of the specialisation indicator. Accounting for spatial dependence by the use of spatial econometric tools, negative spatial interactions probably due to data inconsistencies are present. However, the results of classical econometric estimates are robust

A Spatial Econometric Analysis of Regional Specialisation Patterns Across EU Regions

This paper conducts a spatial econometric analysis of the determinants of regional specialisation patterns. Spatial autocorrelation is present, but is mostly due to spatial error autocorrelation. Spatial interaction due to economic interdependencies is only evident for some few labour-intensive sectors. Hereby, sectoral specialisation of a region seems to be positively influenced by the one of surrounding regions. However, we cannot identify clear disadvantageous spatial interdependencies of specialisation in the periphery or increasing core-periphery tendencies

Capital Mobility within EMU

Capital mobility is helpful to cope with the loss of adjustment instruments in EMU. High capital mobility in the sense of Feldstein and Horioka (FH) can limit the negative consequences of shocks affecting the saving capacity of an economy in the Eurozone. It is the aim of this paper to assess the likely degree of capital mobility in the FH sense within EMU. For this purpose, the FH approach is extended and updated. In particular, the role of current account targeting, exchange rate volatility and tax differentials as potential obstacles to capital mobility is analyzed. The empirical findings support the view that both current account targeting and exchange rate volatility were relevant for limiting the free flow of capital in the past. The conclusion is that within EMU domestic saving and investment will be less correlated than they were before the advent of the Euro. --Capital Mobility,European Monetary Union,Investment-Saving-Relation

What Determines Relative Sectoral Investment Patterns in EU Regions?

This study analyses relative sectoral investment patterns in EU regions. In an exploratory spatial data analysis, spatial clusters of high relative investments can be identified for some sectors. In the econometric analysis, we control for heteroscedasticity and potential endogeneity and find that investments in manufacturing sectors are attracted by central regions, investments in services sectors, instead, by administrative centres as well as regions far away from their national administrative centre. A higher local level of sectoral economies of scale and of productivity strongly increases investments in manufacturing sectors. Labour cost differentials, however, are insignificant in explaining the location of relative sectoral investments