Productivity growth and convergence: a stochastic frontier analysis : WestminsterResearch

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Title	Productivity growth and convergence: a stochastic frontier analysis
Type	Journal article
Authors	Moura e Sa Cardoso, C. and Ravishankar, G.
Abstract	Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the effect of human capital development on regional productivity growth and convergence in the Spanish provinces over the period 1991-2006. Design/methodology/approach – The stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) methodology is used to estimate production inefficiencies. This approach enables the assessment of the degree to which a given region’s observed output deviates from the maximal possible. Therefore, the resulting region specific productive efficiencies are modelled as outcomes of the level of human capital. A β-convergence equation for the regional efficiency levels is also estimated to detect any signs of regional catching-up. Findings – The results show that increasing levels of human capital development are associated with lower regional inefficiency. All levels of education contributed to reduce the inefficiency levels, however, secondary schooling played a stronger role than primary and even higher education. There is also evidence of regional convergence towards the best practice frontier through a process that is beneficially aided by human capital development. Originality/value – The paper combines the use of the SFA to study the effect of human capital on regional productivity with the estimation of a β-convergence equation for the obtained regional efficiency levels.
Keywords	SFA, Human capital, Regional growth
Journal	Journal of Economic Studies
Journal citation	42 (2), pp. 224-236
ISSN	0144-3585
Year	2015
Publisher	Emerald Publishing Limited
Accepted author manuscript	CMS_Cardoso_Accepted.pdf
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)	https://doi.org/10.1108/JES-08-2013-0121
Published	17 Apr 2015

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Productivity growth and convergence: a stochastic frontier analysis

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