Productive specialization and regional development at State level in India

Diniz, Francisco DESG/CETRAD/UTAD

Upadhyay, Vinod NISTADS /CSIR New Delhi

Abstract:
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the specialization of Indian productive structures in 2006, using specialization indicators, namely localization quotient estimation, in order to assess both the relative degree of concentration of a given activity in a certain area and the specialization coefficient, that helps characterize a region‟s economy according to its degree of specialization. Reference variables for specialization analysis purposes are Gross Domestic Product at factor cost at constant price (Base=99-00) and Employment for 2001 and 2006, in an attempt to compare differences observed between productivities, which, in turn, are related to purchasing power evolution within each territorial unit. The main aim of this study was, then, a thorough research into the time-spatial relationship between specialization, productivity and development. read more

Key-words: Sector Specialization, Regional Development, Specialization Index, Location quotient, Specialization Coefficient

Estimating Technical Inefficiency: An Empirical Approach to E.U. Industries

Aikaterini Kokkinou

Department of Economics, University of Glasgow

Abstract:
This paper estimates, incorporating a Transcendental Logarithmic Production Function, the technical efficiency level of different industries in selected E.U. countries. The paper considers panel data for inefficiency effects in stochastic production frontier based on Battese and Coelli (1995), providing translog effects, as well as industry effects. The empirical model accommodates not only heteroscedasticity but also allows the possibility that an industry may not always produce the maximum possible output, given the inputs. Unlike most studies, the paper estimates time – varying technical efficiencies (incorporating „learning – by doing‟ behaviour) as industry-specific fixed effects. Furthermore, the model decomposes total factor productivity (TFP) growth into two components: technological growth (essentially, a shift of production possibility frontier, set by best-practice enterprises) and inefficiency changes (i.e., deviations of actual output level from the production possibility frontier). read more

Key Words: Efficiency, Technical Inefficiency, Stochastic Frontier Model

Identifying Regional Cluster Management Potentials: Empirical Results from Three North Rhine-Westphalian Regions

Rüdiger Hamm
Niederrhein Institute for Regional and Structural Research
Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences
Germany

Christiane Goebel
Niederrhein Institute for Regional and Structural Research
Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences
Germany

Abstract:
The development and support of clusters is an issue that became quite popular by players dealing with regional economic policy. But before a regional development agency can start to implement a cluster-oriented strategy there a two question that have to be answered: 1. What are the regional fields of competence (cluster potentials) that fulfill the requirements for a cluster-oriented regional development policy? 2. If you find such regional fields of competence, are the enterprises willing to cooperate in a network? The present paper describes an approach used in several analyses. On the one hand fields of competence were identified by a two stage procedure. On the other hand the firms that were identified in that procedure were questioned about their willingness for networking. The results of the surveys show the interest of the firms for networking and give some additional information on the subjects and partners for networking. read more

Key words: Cluster, networking, regional development policy, firm survey