This paper estimates the determinants of exchange rate variability for 21 developed economies in 1980-1998. The results show that traditional criteria implied by the optimum currency area (OCA) theory, such as business cycle synchronisation, trade linkages and economy size, determine to a large extent bilateral exchange rate variability. Using the ordinary least squares estimation, we compute OCA indices for European economies vis-à-vis Germany and identify countries showing consistently large or little signs of convergence. We find that since 1998, most European developed economies have converged to Germany whether or not they are using the euro, suggesting that structural similarity is not driven solely by monetary integration. Our results from the model estimated by the generalized method of moments suggest that two additional criteria reflecting labour market flexibility and private credit growth are significant in explaining the exchange rate variability and lead to a ranking of countries different from the traditional approach. We find a positive relationship between the OCA indices and GDP decline during the economic crisis of 2008-09, which further supports the view that the OCA index is a useful indicator of the candidates' readiness to join the Euro Area. We apply the results to the...

Many regions of the world would like to replicate the financial and monetary integration of the European Monetary Union (EMU). Member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have shown an interest in such an arrangement. ASEAN is a political, cultural, and economic association that includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Many of these nations are experiencing rapid economic development while others are still relatively poor and under developed. As such, they appear to be an unlikely group for currency unification. Older studies suggest that multiple currency union groupings may be possible in the short run that could be unified into a whole at an unspecified time in the future. The issue has been studied for some time and appeared defunct with the onset of the Asian Financial Crisis. More than a decade has passed and another more global financial crisis has ensued leaving many Asian countries in better shape than their highly developed trading partners in the west. This leads to the need for further examination of the possible unification of some or all ASEAN members into a Regional Currency Arrangement. This dissertation evaluates the readiness of the ASEAN nations for monetary union using data from the post Asian Financial Crisis period. Results of a formal G-PPP test show the area is an optimum currency area. Analysis of other criteria shows incredible diversity across the countries in the region that would make unification a challenge. Coordination of monetary policy would be most difficult given the variety of inflation rates and differences in depth of financial system development as explored in chapter 2. Trade has increased in the region leading to better linkages among economies but the data shows that reaching full integration of all countries by the 2020 deadline without disruptions in some economies may still be difficult.

The dissertation is mainly made up of three empirical theses on the Optimum Currency Area theory, business cycle synchronization, and intra-industry trade. The second chapter conducts an empirical test into the theory of Optimum Currency Area. I investigate the feasibility of creating a currency union in East Asia by examining the dominance and symmetry of macroeconomic shocks. Relying on a series of structural Vector Autoregressive models with long-run and block exogeneity restrictions, I identify a variety of macroeconomic disturbances in eleven East Asian economies. To examine the nature of the disturbances, I look into the forecast error variance decomposition, correlation of disturbances, size of shocks, and speed of adjustments. Based on both statistical analysis and economic comparison, it is found that two groups of economies are subject to dominant and symmetrical domestic supply shocks, and that the two groups respond quickly to moderate-sized shocks. Therefore, it is economically feasible for the two groups of economies to foster common currency zones. The third chapter investigates the different effects of intra- and inter-industry trade on business cycle synchronization, controlling for financial market linkage and monetary policy making. The chapter is the first attempt to use intra- and inter-industry trade simultaneously in Instrument Variable estimations. The evidence in my paper is supportive that intra-industry trade increases business cycle synchronization, while inter-industry trade brings about divergence of cycles. The findings imply that country pairs with higher intra-industry trade intensity are more likely to experience synchronized business cycles and are more feasible to join a monetary union. My results also show that financial integration and monetary policy coordination provide no explanation for synchronization when industry-level trade are accounted for. The fourth chapter extends the third chapter and explores how the characteristics of global trade network influence intra-industry trade. Borrowing the concept of structural equivalence, the similarity of two countries’ aggregate trade relations with other countries, from the social network analysis, this study incorporates this measure of trade network to the augmented gravity model of intra-industry trade. I build up two fixed effects models to analyze intra-industry trade in the raw material and final product sectors among 182 countries from 1962 through 2000. Structural equivalence promotes intra-industry trade flows in the final product sector, but it does not influence intra-industry trade in the crude material sector. Moreover, structural equivalence has been increasingly important in boosting intra-industry trade over time. / Graduate / 0508

This diploma thesis is concerned with the Robert Mundell's theory of optimum currency area (OCA) and its relation to European monetary union (EMU) or (if you like) Eurozone. The OCA theory belongs to one of the most comprehensive approach to evaluate whether adoption of a common currency by a certain block of countries is beneficial of not. Thus this paper tries to apply OCA theory to the current Eurozone member countries and is focused especially on three main attributes -- the symmetry of economic shocks, the labor market flexibility and the economic integration of international trade between the member states of the euro area. Results of this analysis are then applied to the new member states and the immediate candidate EU member states -- especially to the Czech Republic. The work assesses the feasibility of the OCA theory for classification the candidate countries and their readiness for entering the Eurozone and finally offers alternative criteria by which the readiness for adoption of the Euro should be measured. The text is based on available theoretical and empirical sources supplemented by the author's analyses.

The goal of the thesis is to propose an opinion regarding the accession to the eurozone supported by the analysis of the related benefits and constraints in connection with the current economic and political situation. Allowing to get an idea of what the benefits and downsides of euro adoption would be for them, the gathering of information and arguments suitable for entrepreneurs, managers and citizens is the sought outcome of the work. The issue was analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively with the help of the SWOT analysis, optimum currency area theory and analysis of macroeconomic indicators. To achieve a more comprehensive understanding, also political programmes of the political parties represented in the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament were analysed. The contribution of the thesis lies in providing a comprehensive insight into issues regarding the euro while assessing the current situation and indicating the closest possible date for euro adoption.

The theory of optimum currency areas states that the more two countries trade with each other, the better candidates they are for a currency union. In terms of the endogeneity argument, convergence follows from joining a currency union and the integration process itself turns the countries into optimal currency areas. The potential increase in trade is regarded as one of the most important benefits of a currency union. Indirect evidence from studies on the effect of exchange rate volatility on trade does not support this claim. Rose argues that the common currency effect on trade is separate from the effect of the elimination of exchange rate variability and finds a large positive effect of a currency union on trade. Although his methodology has met with criticism, most studies find a positive estimate. A meta-analysis of the studies confirms that a common currency has a statistically and economically significant trade-creating effect. / Economics / M.Com. (Economics)

This dissertation consists of three independent essays addressing several key issues related to the empirical application of optimum currency area. The first essay explores the features of the CFA franc zone by operationalizing Robert Mundell’s (1952) criteria for an optimum currency area. A vector autoregression method is used in modeling national outputs as determined by global, regional and country-specific shocks. It finds that domestic outputs of the CFA franc zone countries are strongly influenced by country-specific shocks. These results suggest that the CFA franc zone countries are structurally different from each other and the monetary union may have been a costly arrangement for the member countries. The second essay focuses on the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). A 2-vairable vector autoregressive model is estimated to investigate the extent of symmetric shocks in the small open economies of the ECCU. The paper finds that domestic outputs of the ECCU countries are strongly influenced by regional shocks. These results indicate that the ECCU countries are structurally similar to each other and exchange arrangements appear to have well served the region and the group of countries is more likely to be an optimum currency area. The third essay explores the possibility of a currency union in East Asia. In this essay, the extent of global and regional integration in East Asia is investigated using the stock price index as a measure of economic performance. A similar VAR model is employed to separate the underlying shocks into global, regional and country-specific shocks. The estimation results show that country-specific shocks play a dominant role in East Asia although their role appears to have declined over time, especially after the 1997 financial crisis. Global and regional shocks are responsible for small but increasing shares of stock price fluctuations in most countries. The results indicate that, despite years of liberalization and regional integration, economies in East Asia remain dissimilar and are subject to asymmetric shocks and it might be costly for East Asian countries to abandon monetary policy independence to form a monetary union and that a more flexible exchange rate regime might be desirable.

Depuis 1939, une partie des pays de l'Afrique de l'Ouest a pour monnaie le Franc CFA d'Afrique de l'Ouest. Ces pays constituent, de fait, une zone monétaire. La dévaluation du CFA de 1994 marque le passage d'une convertibilité automatique à une convertibilité partielle. Il est alors légitime de s'interroger sur l'optimalité de cette zone monétaire surtout dans un contexte où la Zone Euro connaît elle même des difficultés.Elle a pour ambition de s'interroger sur l'optimalité de la zone monétaire l'Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest-Africaine. L'étude a donc pour objectif d'identifier si cette zone monétaire est une Zone Monétaire Optimale, (ZMO) au sens de MUNDELL (1961). L'objet d'étude soulevé ici portera plus particulièrement sur l'analyse des critères de faisabilité d'une ZMO et le passage à des critères de soutenabilité. Les critères de premier rang d'une ZMO, déterminés par les auteurs précurseurs de littérature sur la question dans les années 1960 et 1970, constitués principalement par les apports de MUNDELL, (1961).Notre travail propose de ne pas se limiter à la définition donnée par MUNDELL, même si cette théorie s'applique à juste titre pour des pays candidats à l'adhésion. Dans ce cas la Loi du Prix Unique permet de caractériser la fixité du taux de change comme étant une condition nécessaire de premier rang. Cette condition de premier ordre est non suffisante pour justifier de la soutenabilité et durabilité d'une zone. La fixité des monnaies est la deuxième condition retenue. La monnaie unique devient alors un choix rationnel qui se justifie par les avantages qu'elle procure aux pays qui l'adoptent. / Ome of the West African countries have adopted the CFA Franc (Franc of African Financial Communities) as their currency in 1939. These countries hence form a monetary zone. The devaluation of the French CFA in 1994 marked the passage from an automatic convertibility to a partial convertibility. It seems legitimate to consider the optimality of the West-African currency area - especially in a context where the Euro zone itself faces difficulties.This thesis aims to identify whether this area is indeed an optimal currency area as defined by MUNDELL in 1961. The object of study raised here will focus more particularly on the analysis of the feasibility of an OCA (Optimum currency area) and on the passage to sustainability criteria. The primary criteria of an OCA -- as determined by the founding authors in the literature of the 1960s and 1970s on the issue, MUNDELL being the main contributor (1961). This study however does not restrict itself solely to the definition given by MUNDELL, even though his theory applies rightly to countries which are candidates to entry into the union. In this case, the Law of one Price (Loop) can characterize the fixity of the exchange rate as a primary necessary condition. This proviso however is not sufficient to justify the sustainability and durability of an area. In case this latter condition is not met, the other condition is the fixity of currencies. The unique currency then becomes a rational choice which is justified by the advantages it procures countries which adopt it.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T20:48:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Paulo Boscoli.pdf: 540539 bytes, checksum: 032e8de8b7007486d8846d4f168e8280 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-05-20 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This research has objectives like: show the arguments of the Optimum Currency Areas theory, experiences on currency union (their motivations, architecture e consequences), the discussion on a currency union to Mercosul and, last, conclusions from the linkage of these arguments. Our final objective is to verify if a Mercosul´s currency union is viable, desirable and realistic, them to wonder possibilities to Brazil from this monetary arrangement. We justify this work with the importance the integration movements are getting and establishing in recent years, with many agreements and tracts on regional and global scope. All of these movements are presented to Brazil, partially, as the Mercosul. This is the most important agreement (manly because of its achievements) of which Brazil is a member. There for, all the skepticism over Mercosul nowadays can be relaxed and, thus, justify our work. To answer the questions made above, we will be based on a literature review on these issues and we will use some data base (such as the ECLAC statistical yearbook and the on-line data base for European Union, the Eurostat). We will show the arguments from the Optimum Currency Areas theory, from experiences on currency union and from the discussion on a currency union to Mercosul and we will try to establish some links between them. With some auxiliary statistic data, we ll illustrate, confirm or refute arguments from this debate. After it we found out that, generally, the a Mercosul´s currency union is viable, at the planning level since now, in short run, and at the implementation level only when the Mercosul´s countries pass safely through the practical and theorical challenges shown to them. However the option to a currency union way or an autonomous way appears to be a politics matter and should be the beginning of such process / Este trabalho tem como objetivos apresentar os argumentos da teoria das Áreas Monetárias Ótimas, experiências em uniões monetárias (suas motivações, arquitetura e conseqüências), o debate sobre uma união monetária para o Mercosul e, por fim, as conclusões derivadas do cruzamento da argumentação de cada uma dessas apresentações. Nosso objetivo final é o de verificar se uma união monetária para o Mercosul é viável, desejável e realista, além de aventar possibilidades que o Brasil poderia obter em tal arranjo monetário. Nossa justificativa é baseada na importância que os movimentos de integração vêm ganhando e consolidando, com vários tratados e acordos entre países em âmbitos regionais e mundial. Todo esse movimento é apresentado para o Brasil, em parte, na forma do Mercosul. Esse bloco é o acordo de integração mais ambicioso (nas suas conquistas, principalmente) que o Brasil participa. É dessa forma que todo o ceticismo que cerca hoje em dia esse bloco econômico pode ser relativizado e, por tanto, justificar nosso estudo. Para respondermos às questões anteriores, nos apoiaremos na revisão bibliográfica desses temas e usaremos bancos de dados (como o Anuário Estatístico da CEPAL e o banco de dados on-line sobre a União Européia, o Eurostat). Apresentaremos os argumentos da teoria das Áreas Monetárias Ótimas, das experiências de uniões monetárias e do debate para o Mercosul, faremos a sua sobreposição, com o intuito de constatar conexões e contradições. Com o auxílio de alguns dados estatísticos, ilustraremos, validaremos ou refutaremos alguns argumentos desse debate. Por fim, constatamos, de maneira geral, que uma união monetária para o Mercosul é viável em seu planejamento desde já, no curto prazo, e, em sua implementação, somente quando os países integrantes tiverem, satisfatoriamente, ultrapassado os desafios práticos e teóricos que se apresentam, sendo que a opção por uma união monetária ou um caminho autônomo de políticas monetárias, parece ser uma opção política e deve ser o início de tal processo

The aim of the thesis is to evaluate the stability of the euro area in the context of the impact of the economic crisis. The work is divided into three chapters. The theory of optimum currency area was identified as a fundamental theoretical basis for subsequent analysis, and then Ireland and Portugal were chosen as the two countries representing vulnerable economies, which have been subjected to more detailed examination and comparison. These two parts were for the coherence of the whole work set in the historical context of European monetary integration. The first part deals with a theory of optimal currency area. The first chapter is further analysis of potential benefits and costs of the monetary area. The second chapter focuses on the historical context of monetary integration in Europe and recent developments in euro area countries. The theme of the third chapter is to compare the impact of the crisis on the Irish and the Portuguese economy. This chapter focuses on the main causes of the crisis in Ireland and then in Portugal, the impact of the crisis on them and stability restoring program adopted in the context of drawing loans from the European Commission, ECB and IMF. In the last part of the third chapter the causes and effects of the crisis in Ireland and Portugal were mutually compared. The conclusion of this chapter is devoted to the prospects of these countries into the future.