Structural Change and Convergence

This book studies causes and effects of country specialization and industry concentration in Europe. The most important indices used in studying the heterogeneity of countries and industries are examined, the economic development of individual industries is analyzed in detail and the heterogeneity across Western European countries is shown.

This book studies both the causes and effects of country specialization and industry concentration. First, a detailed literature review of both theoretical and empirical work is given. Second, the most important indices used in studying the heterogeneity of countries and industries are analyzed. The book discusses the (dis-)advantages of these indices in detail and shows how empirical results depend on the index chosen. Third, the book studies the economic development of individual industries in detail and identifies crucial structural breaks in the development paths. Last, the heterogeneity across Western European countries is analyzed and the countries are assigned to individual clubs. In doing so, this book examines the similarity of countries in their economic development and identifies the drivers of these processes.

Autorentext

Nicole Palan ****passed her doctoral degree at the University of Graz (Austria) with distinction. She works at Graz Schumpeter Centre and has completed several research projects abroad. She teaches at various universities and colleges throughout Austria.

Inhalt
Contents: Literature on the Concentration and Specialization Processes Measurement of Specialization: Studying the Most Important Indices Concentration of Industries: The Location of Industries in Western Europe Specialization Patterns of Western European Countries and Identification of Country Clubs.