Regionų ekonomikos β konvergencijos tyrimo metodai ir ES empirika

Abstract

Straipsnyje susisteminta β konvergencijos vertinimo metodika, metaanalizės metodu apibendrinti ES šalių teritorinės ekonomikos stratifikacijos tyrimai, jų rezultatai palyginti tarpusavyje ir nustatyta nuo 1950 iki 2005 m. ekonomikos skirtumų tarp ES regionų kaita

Convergence studies are concerned with the question of whether poor economies catch up to wealthier economies over the time. The regional convergence process in Europe has generated considerable interest in recent years. Because of financial straits regional convergence is a central question, since important funds aim at diminishing disparities. There are many studies published recently dealing with this issue using different empirical approaches. This paper provides a critical review of the used approaches and summarises the results. A special problem is that authors refer to different periods and member state groups (EU-9, EU-15 etc.). The results obtained from previously summarized empirical studies differ. On the one hand in studies based on the neoclassical growth model dominate convergence trends. On the other hand, this convergence trend is in criticism. Yet other studies suggest that the regional economy growth is polarized. These differences in result due to a number of reasons. One of them – conflict between the theoretical concepts, which created the basis for growth models. Differences in approach leads to different interpretations of the facts, and thus a stronger position on the convergence or divergence trend. Another reason – the number of observed countries and regions and the period of the study. It should be noted that the evaluation of EU regional imbalances is related with data availability problems. This is particularly evident when studies are long term and the data available only from several countries, or when for more detailed analysis conversion at purchasing power parity are employed. Despite these circumstances, various studies wich evaluated EU regional economic growth from the fifties, summarizing pretty similar findings, even if analyze sufficient different data.[...]