The Euro and Firm Restructuring

Fabiano Schivardi, Matteo Bugamelli and Roberta Zizza

No 7623, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: We test whether and how the adoption of the euro, narrowly defined as the end of competitive devaluations, has affected member states' productive structures, distinguishing between within and across sector reallocation. We find evidence that the euro has been accompanied by a reallocation of activity within rather than across sectors. Since its adoption, productivity growth has been relatively stronger in country-sectors that once relied more on competitive devaluations to regain price competitiveness. This effect is robust to potential omitted-variable bias and correlated effects. Firm-level evidence from Italian manufacturing confirms that low-tech businesses, which arguably benefitted most from devaluations, have been restructuring more since the adoption of the euro. Restructuring has entailed a shift of business focus from production to upstream and downstream activities, such as product design, advertising, marketing and distribution, and a corresponding reduction in the share of blue collar workers.

Keywords: Devaluations; Euro; Firm restructuring; Productivity growth; Skill intensity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F33 J24 L16 O47 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010-01
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (34)

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Related works:
Chapter: The Euro and Firm Restructuring (2010)
Working Paper: The euro and Firm Restructuring (2010)
Working Paper: The euro and firm restructuring (2009)
Working Paper: The Euro and Firm Restructuring (2008)
Working Paper: The euro and firm restructuring
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