This paper analyses region-level technical efficiency in the European Union over the 1995 to 2007 period. We propose the application of a nonparametric conditional frontier methodology to account for the presence of geographical externalities that are beyond the control of regional authorities....

The endogenous approach to regional development policy has become central over the last decade. By employing the conditional frontier approach, this paper investigates the relative contribution to labour productivity growth of: (1) capital accumulation, (2) exogenous technical change and...

In this paper we analyse the impact of R&D on total factor productivity across Chinese provinces. We introduce innovations explicitly into a production function and evaluate their contribution to economic growth in 1993 - 2006. The empirical results highlight the importance and the interaction...

This paper analyzes the determinants of regional economic growth in the European Union. The nonparametric approach adopted allows us not only to uncover their relevance but also to determine whether or not they exert a linear in uence. We obtain evidence of a nonlinear relationship between...

This paper deals with the relationship between knowledge, innovation and regional growth. The study is carried out through the application of nonparametric estimation methods to European data at NUTS2 level. We provide evidence that the share of innovative ...firms plays a more relevant role in...

We propose a semi-parametric spatial auto-covariance specification of the growth model to examine the growth behaviour of European regions in the period 1988-2000. This specification simultaneously takes account of the problems of non-linearities and spatial dependence. We obtain two main...

This paper considers the persistent differences in economic performance across Chinese regions. We introduce a new county- and city-level dataset that spans all of mainland China and provides a detailed view of Chinese regional growth over the period 1997-2005. Non-parametric kernel density...

The paper uses nonparametric methodology to examine the role of institutions in understanding differential levels of development across countries. By using the Li-Racine (2004) generalized kernel estimation methodology, our paper allows a deeper look into the impact of institutions on...

The paper uses nonparametric methodology to examine the role of institutions in understanding differential levels of development across countries. This technique estimates first order derivatives for every country allowing a deeper look into the impact of institutions on development. The...

We propose a nonparametric test that distinguishes 'depressions' and 'booms' from ordinary recessions and expansions. Depressions and booms are defined as coming from another underlying process than recessions and expansions. We find four depressions and booms in the NBER business cycle between...