Explaining TFP at firm level in Italy. Does location matter?

Aiello, Francesco and Pupo, Valeria and Ricotta, Fernand (2011): Explaining TFP at firm level in Italy. Does location matter?

Abstract

This study considers how firms’ internal variables and regional factors affect the total factor productivity of Italian manufacturing firms. Due to of the hierarchical structure of data in estimation, we employ a multilevel model. Results, which refer to 2006, show the importance of firm-specific determinants of TFP, but at the same time confirm the role of regional context in explaining the gap in TFP levels which exist between the South and the North of Italy. In this respect, we show that northern firms are localised in regions with adequate endowment of infrastructure, with efficient public administration and with high R&D intensity and, as a result of these factors, perform better than firms operating in less well endowed regions.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Manufacturing Firms; Total Factor Productivity, Italian Regional Divide; Multilevel Models
• Subjects: R - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics > R1 - General Regional Economics > R11 - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O14 - Industrialization ; Manufacturing and Service Industries ; Choice of Technology; L - Industrial Organization > L6 - Industry Studies: Manufacturing > L60 - General

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