Modelling regional productivity performance across Western Europe

This study investigates the potential role of variations in technical efficiency as a contributing factor in providing an explanation for convergence or divergence in Western Europe. To control for spatial dependence among regions, it uses a spatial stochastic frontier framework that integrates spatial econometric techniques with stochastic frontier panel-data models. The empirical analysis reveals there is a strong geographical pattern of regional efficiency, while the degree of average regional efficiency has increased steadily year by year. From a European regional policy perspective, we can conclude that differentiated development strategies seem more appropriate than homogeneous or best-practice investment approaches.