Month: December 2010

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

Spillover Diffusion and Regional Convergence: A Gravity Approach

Guastella Giovanni
Doctoral School in Economic Policy, Catholic University, Piacenza, Corresponding author

Timpano Francesco
Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Catholic University, Piacenza

Abstract:
Among the different sources of regional growth, agglomeration economies, both internal to regions and external to regions (spillovers) play a primary role. However the presence of agglomeration economies may obstacle the path toward cohesion making rich (poor) regions become richer (poorer). While, according to New Growth Theory and New Economic Geography, there is no doubt that internal economies may lead to divergence, the debate on the role of external economies on convergence is still open. Much, of course, depends on the spatial extension of spillovers. The aim of this work is to study the spatial dimension of spillovers using the framework of cross-region growth regression. In particular we seek to explain whether the intensity of spillover is either completely exogenous or it can be explained by some endogenous regional characteristics. Results indicate that the intensity of externalities is determined by a) the regional geographical position and b) the distance from neighbors with high growth rates. While the first is completely exogenous, the second is not. Curiously enough, infrastructural endowments and factors commonly assumed to induce agglomeration do not contribute to explain the intensity of spillovers. Results have important policy implications. Since spillovers characterize more core regions, which are well connected to other rich regions, than periphery, the presence of these externalities may foster the increase of disparities between core and periphery, making harder to reach the objective of cohesion. read more

JEL: R11, O18
Keywords: spatial econometrics, regional growth, spillovers, gravity models

Converging and Diverging Regions in the EU: Implications for Regional Policy

Alexiadis Stilianos*
Visiting Lecturer, University of Piraeus, Department of Economics

Ladias Christos
Department of Regional Economic Development, University of Central Greece

Polo Antoneta
Department of Economics, Eqrem Cabej University, Argirocastro, Albania

Abstract:
This paper investigates the extent of regional cohesion amongst European regions; an issue of emerging importance in the fast growing literature on regional economics. This paper aims to shed some further light on the question of regional cohesion by taking into account the impact of the existing technological gaps across regions. Regional cohesion is examined in terms of labour productivity for the NUTS-2 regions of the EU-27 during the time period 1995-2006. The results suggest the existence of two separate groups or clubs. The first includes regions from advanced northern European countries, while the members in the second club are mainly found in the new member-states and in southern European countries, putting the issue of European regional policy into a fresh premise. To be more specific, the results have important implications for the (re) direction of regional policy in Europe towards a new set of objectives and instruments. read more

Key words: Regional Cohesion, Technological Gap, Regional Policy

JEL: C21; O18; R11