Suchergebnisse

1 Introduction -- 2 The Data: Productivity and Capital Differences across Countries and over Time -- 3 Two Complementary Frameworks to Study Convergence Clubs -- 4 Convergence Clubs in Labor Productivity -- 5 Convergence Clubs in Physical and Human Capital -- 6 Convergence Clubs in Total Factor Productivity -- 7 Accounting for Convergence Clubs -- 8 Conclusion.

Recognising the limitations of existing conceptualisations of path dependence, this article advances a 'path-interdependent' approach to account for endogenous policy change by incorporating a more central role for agency through learning and problem-solving mechanisms. Additionally, it argues that monolithic conceptualisations of institutions should be unpacked to reveal their configurative elements. In doing so, attention is drawn to the way in which intra-policy dynamics may generate pressures for change and to the possibility for the mutual existence and co-evolution of continuity and change. These arguments are illustrated empirically through two cases of radical reform in European Union (EU) cohesion policy.

AbstractConvergence in human capital is a key precondition to achieve income convergence in the European Union; however, so far research on this topic has nearly been absent. Our paper contributes to the literature by investigating the human capital convergence dynamics within the EU over the period 1990–2016 using a nonlinear dynamic factor model. While we find evidence of absolute convergence with respect to the average years of schooling, we identify four convergence clubs with respect to learning outcomes, and the divergence across those four clubs is increasing over time. A subsequent analysis of the determinants of the learning clubs reveals that institutional and learning spillovers are decisive for whether an EU Member State is on a high or low human capital trajectory.