Localization, Specialization and Diversification Indicators and Shift-Share Analysis : An Application to the Nut Iii of the North Region in the Period 1986-1998

In this paper, we apply some of the instruments of the regional economic analysis to the NUT III of the North Region in order to make a reflection about the dynamics of the productive structure of those territories in the period 1986-1998, using, fundamentally, the analysis of localization, specialization and diversification indicators, as well as the shift-share analysis. The analysis of the indicators shows a relative stability of the productive structure of those territories in that period. Using employment to analyze the dynamics of regional growth in a comparative perspective and taking the Continent as reference, the application of the shift-share model lead us to conclude that only the NUT of Grande Porto has negative values for the structural and regional effects, while the NUT of Douro, Alto Trais-os-Montes and Minho-Lima reveal positive values for those two components. The others NUT of the North Region have positive regional effects and negative structural effects