Are OECD Export Specialization Patterns 'Sticky?' Relations to the Convergence-Divergence Debate

Abstract

The aim of the present paper is twofold. We want to present and test a methodology capable to deal more satisfactorily with the question of stability of international export specialization patterns, and secondly, we want to relate this issue to the convergence-divergence debate in growth theory and the rapidly increasing strand of literature on national systems of innovation. We conclude that the relative export structures are moving together in the long term. However, the speed of convergence is fairly slow, indicating that national export specialization patterns are quite stubborn or "sticky." These findings are complementary to the new knowledge generated with convergence-divergence debate in growth theory and the rapidly increasing strand of literature on natonal systems of innovation.

JEL Classification: F14, O31, O41