The introduction of the Euro in 1999 has led to significant economic divergences among European countries, particularly between Northern and Central European nations like Germany and Austria, and Mediterranean countries such as France and Italy. These divergences are prominently reflected in trade imbalances. This dissertation investigates the primary drivers of these economic disparities, focusing on the role of international competitiveness. Competitiveness, defined as a nation's ability to market its products globally, is analyzed through both price and non-price factors.
The research highlights several methodological challenges in assessing trade flows and competitiveness. Key findings indicate that price competitiveness, measured through unit labour costs, significantly impacts export performance. Empirical evidence reveals a negative export elasticity to prices in the European context, emphasizing the importance of cost competitiveness even for high-tech sectors. Non-price competitiveness factors, although less robust in empirical models, contribute to a comprehensive narrative when assessed descriptively.
The dissertation’s contributions enrich the debate on intra-European trade imbalances, particularly through comparative analyses of Germany and Italy. The findings suggest that Germany’s export success is strongly linked to price competitiveness, while Italy’s weaker performance is due to deteriorations in both price and non-price competitiveness. These insights underline the necessity for economic policies to prioritize cost competitiveness as a determinant of industrial success.
In conclusion, this dissertation provides a clearer understanding of the complex factors influencing international trade dynamics within the Eurozone, offering a foundation for future research to explore causal relationships and further investigate non-price competitiveness.:List of contents
Preface of the Author i
Overview of Research Papers iii
List of Tables iv
List of Figures v
I. Executive Summary 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Background and Literature Review 2
1.2.1 Cumulative causation and export-led growth 2
1.2.2 The Kaldor paradox and the discovery of non-price competitiveness 3
1.2.3 The case of Germany and Italy 5
1.3 Presentation of Research Articles 7
1.3.1 Idea 7
1.3.2 Shared methodological framework 8
1.3.3 Summary of Research Article I 8
1.3.4 Summary of Research article II 10
1.3.5 Summary of Research article III 11
1.4 Conclusion 12
1.4.1 Main results 12
1.4.2 Contribution to the European debate 13
1.4.3 Closing remarks 14
II. Research Articles 15
2.1 Article I: The Challenging Estimation of Trade Elasticities: Tackling the Inconclusive Eurozone Evidence 15
2.1.1 Introduction 15
2.1.2 The empirical export equation 16
2.1.3 The unreliable price coefficient 21
2.1.4 Inferential Evidence 26
2.1.5 Conclusion 33
2.2 Article II: Competing for Manufacturing Value Added: How Strong is Competitive Cost Pressure on Sectoral Level? 35
2.2.1 Introduction 35
2.2.2 Background 36
2.2.3 Empirical approach 39
2.3.4 Results 43
2.3.5 Conclusion 51
2.3. Article III: Assessing the Role of Non-Price Factors: Shedding New Light on the European Competitiveness Puzzle 52
2.3.1 Introduction 52
2.3.2 Non-price competitiveness: Meaning, proxies and procedural Issues 53
2.3.3 Empirical Evidence 57
2.3.4 Discussion 70
2.3.5 Conclusion 74
References 76
Appendix I i
Appendix II viii
Appendix III xvii
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:DRESDEN/oai:qucosa:de:qucosa:91646 |
| Date | 04 June 2024 |
| Creators | Keil, Sascha |
| Contributors | Hartwig, Jochen, Stirati, Antonella, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Università degli Studi Roma Tre |
| Source Sets | Hochschulschriftenserver (HSSS) der SLUB Dresden |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersion, doc-type:doctoralThesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis, doc-type:Text |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | 10.1111/twec.13333, 10.1016/j.strueco.2023.12.003, 10.1016/j.inteco.2024.100495 |
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