European Competitiveness - A Semiparametric Stochastic Metafrontier Analysis at the Firm Level

145 Pages Posted: 29 Jul 2014

See all articles by Marijn Verschelde

Marijn Verschelde

Ghent University

Michel Dumont

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Glenn Rayp

Ghent University - Department of General Economics

Bruno Merlevede

Ghent University - Department of General Economics

Date Written: July 9, 2014

Abstract

In this paper a semiparametric stochastic metafrontier approach is used to obtain insight into firm-level 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

JEL Classification: C14, D24, L25, M13, O33

Suggested Citation

Verschelde, Marijn and Dumont, Michel and Rayp, Glenn and Merlevede, Bruno, European Competitiveness - A Semiparametric Stochastic Metafrontier Analysis at the Firm Level (July 9, 2014). ECB Working Paper No. 1701, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2464132 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2464132

Marijn Verschelde (Contact Author)

Ghent University ( email )

Coupure Links 653
Ghent, 9000
Belgium

Michel Dumont

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Glenn Rayp

Ghent University - Department of General Economics ( email )

Hoveniersberg 24
Ghent, 9000
Belgium
32-9-2643495 (Phone)

Bruno Merlevede

Ghent University - Department of General Economics ( email )

Tweekerkenstraat 2
Ghent, 9000
Belgium

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