European competitiveness: A semi-parametric stochastic metafrontier analysis at the firm level

Michel Dumont, Bruno Merlevede, Glenn Rayp and Marijn Verschelde ()

No 261, Working Paper Research from National Bank of Belgium

Abstract: In this paper a semiparametric stochastic metafrontier approach is used to obtain insight into firmlevel competitiveness in Europe. We differ from standard TFP studies at the firm level as we simultaneously allow for inefficiency, noise and do not impose a functional form on the input-output relation. Using AMADEUS firm-level data covering 10 manufacturing sectors from seven EU15 countries, (i) we document substantial, persistent differences in competitiveness (with Belgium and Germany as benchmark countries and Spain lagging behind) and a wide technology gap, (ii) we confirm the absence of convergence in TFP between the seven selected countries, (iii) we confirm that the technology gap is more pronounced for smaller firms, (iv) we highlight the role of post-entry growth for competitiveness.

Keywords: competitiveness; cross-country analysis; firm heterogeneity; total factor productivity; post-entry growth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C14 D24 L25 M13 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 147 pages
Date: 2014-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-bec, nep-cse, nep-eff, nep-eur, nep-ore and nep-sbm
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Working Paper: European competitiveness - A semiparametric stochastic metafrontier analysis at the firm level (2014)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nbb:reswpp:201407-261

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