The evolution of firm-level distributions for Ukrainian manufacturing firms

We document rich variation across observed firms' characteristics, and the accompanying macroeconomic volatility, often related to political turmoil for Ukrainian manufacturing firms. We use a unique annual firm-level data for the period from 2001 to 2009 compiled from the Derzhkomstat. To understand the evolution of distributions we utilize functional principal component analysis while accounting for the effects associated with firms' region, industry, trade status, and firm turnover. The overall improvements in firm productivity in Ukraine's manufacturing in 2001-2009 vary substantially by industry, trade status and with firm turnover, while regional effects are less important. Journal of Comparative Economics 44 (1) (2016) 148-162. Bank of Canada, 234 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G9, Canada;Department of Economics, Emory University, 1602 Fishburne Dr, Rich Bldg., 3rd Floor, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;University of Bradford, Faculty of Social and International Studies, Richmond Rd, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, United Kingdom;Kyiv School of Economics, Ukraine and National Research University Higher School of Economics, 13 Yakira St., Suite 319, Kyiv, 04119, UKRAINE. (C) 2015 Association for Comparative Economic Studies. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.