Manuel Rapún

Assessing the technical efficiency of horticultural production in Navarra, Spain

Abstract The objective of this paper is to estimate technical efficiency in the horticultural production sector in Navarra (Spain). Tomato and asparagus production are analysed separately. Both a non-parametric and a parametric approach to a frontier production function are used and the differences in the results are discussed. In a second stage we examine the degree to which the calculated efficiency correlates with a set of explanatory variables representing different features of farms such as size, factorial returns and economic performance. The results indicated that both tomato and asparagus production are relatively inefficient, with potential in both cases for reducing input or increasing output. These results hold regardless of whether the frontier was parametric or non-parametric. The estimated measures of technical efficiency were positively related with the partial productivity indices and negatively related with the cultivation costs per hectare. No conclusive results were obtained for the relation between size and efficiency.

The Spanish beef sector in the 1990s: impact of the BSE crisis on efficiency and profitability

The beef sector has undergone a series of changes as a result of successive food scares and agricultural policy reforms. The purpose of the paper is to analyse technical efficiency and profitability in Spanish livestock enterprises during the 1990s, focusing on the possible impact of the BSE crisis and the 1992 CAP reform on each of these variables. The main findings reveal the existence of technical inefficiency during the sample period. Some factors have a positive impact, others a negative impact, on efficiency. As far as the effects of CAP reform and the BSE crisis are concerned, the results show the ineffectiveness of agricultural policy regulation to promote efficiency in the sector and the improvement in the efficiency as a consequence of the BSE crisis. The profitability analysis reveals the importance of direct subsidies, however. In their absence, a large percentage of holdings is unable to remunerate either own or rented factors. Analysis shows, therefore, that there are two counteracting effects from subsidies. On the one hand, they form a major part of the resources of livestock farmers, allowing them to meet input costs and preventing land abandonment. On the other hand, they have a significant negative impact on the level of technical efficiency estimated.

The Dynamics of Regional Disparities in Central and Eastern Europe during Transition

Abstract This paper examines the evolution of territorial imbalances in per capita income in the Central and Eastern Europe regions between 1990 and 2001. In order to overcome the limitations of conventional convergence analysis, we have combined a non-parametric approach that allows us to study the dynamics of the entire cross-section distribution, with a series of theoretical results and measures taken from the literature on personal income distribution. The results obtained show an overall reduction in regional inequality over the study period. This process has been compatible with the simultaneous presence of between-country convergence and within-country divergence. Likewise, we have observed a reduction in the development gap between the sample regions and Western Europe. In any event, the polarization of the distribution under consideration has decreased, while the registered level of intra-distribution mobility is relatively low. Furthermore, the analysis highlights the important role played in explaining the distribution dynamics by factors such as the national component, spatial location, productive structure, agglomeration economies and the percentage of gross domestic product devoted to investment.

Regional Disparities and National Development Revisited: The Case of Western Europe

This article explores the relationship between regional inequality and economic development level in 14 Western European countries for the period 1980–2002. The results, which were obtained by means of a semi-parametric methodology, indicate the presence of a process of regional divergence once a certain level of development has been reached. Nevertheless, in contrast to the available empirical evidence for the United States, our estimates show that the increase in regional disparities is purely transitory. Indeed, beyond a given level of per capita GDP, regional inequality can be seen to decrease, ultimately leading to a stabilization of territorial imbalances in the later stages of the development process.These findings are robust to the inclusion of additional variables in the analysis and to the choice of the measure used to quantify regional disparities.

Regional inequality in the European Union: Does industry mix matter?

Ezcurra R., Gil C., Pascual P. and Rapún M. (2005) Regional inequality in the European Union: does industry mix matter?, Regional Studies 39 , 679–697. The aim of this paper is to test for the respective roles of regional and sectoral factors in productivity convergence in the European Union between 1977 and 1999. The methodology used for this is a new one that combines an alternative version of shift–share analysis with various results quoted in the literature on personal income distribution. The empirical evidence suggests that regional disparity in productivity in the European Union is closely related to intrinsic differences between regions. Whatever the case, the results that emerge also reveal the fundamental role of the country effect in accounting for regional disparities in income per worker in Europe. In addition our empirical results support the relevance of one‐sector growth models to explicate per‐capita income disparities in the European regions.

Inequality, Polarisation and Regional Mobility in the European Union

This paper examines the distribution dynamics of regional per capita income in the European Union between 1977 and 1999. To achieve this aim, a non-parametric approach is combined with the information provided by various measures used in the literature on personal income distribution. The results obtained suggest that regional inequality and polarisation have decreased in the European context over the period considered. Likewise, the observed level of intradistributional mobility is relatively low. Furthermore, the findings reveal the important role played by the national component and the spatial dimension in the distribution dynamics.

Spatial Inequality in Productivity in the European Union: Sectoral and Regional Factors

To gain a deeper insight into territorial imbalances existing in the European Union, the authors analyzedthe evolution of regional disparitiesin productivity between 1977 and 1999. The results obtained reveal an overall decrease in regional inequality in productivity throughout the study period, even though the density functions estimated suggest the existence of some degree of polarization in the regional distribution of output per worker. The article also examines the role played by sectoral and regional factorsin productivity convergence, using a combination of shift-share analysis and various theoretical results obtained in the literature on personal income distribution. The analysis shows that regional inequality in output per worker in the European Unionis closelylinkedtointrinsic dif ferences between regions. Likewise,the empirical evidence highlights the importance of the national component and spatial location in accounting for observed dif ferences in sectoral productivity across the European regions. Finally, the findings supportthe relevance of one-sector growth modelsto explain per capitaincome disparitiesinthe European context.

Spatial disparities in the European agriculture: a regional analysis

This article examines the territorial imbalances in European agriculture during the period 1980 to 2001, by means of the information provided by various methodological instruments which allow us to overcome the drawbacks of conventional convergence analysis. The results obtained reveal that the regional distribution of productivity in the agricultural sector is characterized by the presence of positive spatial dependence. This fact implies that the European regions in close spatial proximity register similar levels of the variable under study, which highlights the relevance of geographical location in this context. The empirical evidence presented also shows that regional disparities have remained almost constant during the time interval considered. However, the increase in density around the European average explains the observed reduction in the degree of bipolarization, while intra-distribution mobility is relatively limited. Finally, the analysis carried out allows us to assess the role of variables such as country of origin, investment per worker in the agricultural sector, regional per capita income or the size of the agrifood industry, in explaining the dynamics of the distribution under analysis.

Agricultural productivity in the European regions: Trends and explanatory factors

This paper examines the spatial distribution of agricultural productivity in the European regions for the period 1990–2000, using a twofold descriptive and explanatory approach that allows us to overcome some of the drawbacks of conventional convergence analysis. The spatial distribution of agricultural productivity is summarized in a regional typology that enables us to evaluate the distribution of agricultural productivity and trends across European regions. The various inequality indices and estimated density functions reveal a decrease in regional agricultural productivity disparities, and intra-distribution mobility appears to be relatively limited during the study period. Additionally, the results obtained from the regression analysis are in line with those obtained at the national level. Finally, our non-parametric approach permits us to assess the role of variables such as economic development, agricultural structure and productive specialization in the dynamics of the distribution under analysis.

Regional mobility in the European Union

Regional mobility in the spatial distribution of per capita income in the European Union is examined over the period 1977 to 1999. The methodology used to investigate this issue combines a series of measures taken from the literature devoted to the dynamic study of personal income distribution with a non-parametric analysis. The results show limited mobility in the distribution considered, and a decline in mobility over time. The empirical evidence presented indicates, moreover, that mobility patterns vary as a function of regional development levels. Additionally, the analysis carried out investigates the role played in explaining intra-distribution mobility by variables such as per capita income, population density, per capita expenditure in investment, market potential, and the share in total employment of agriculture, advanced services and non-market services.