The Evolution of the Distribution of Plant Size: Evidence from Luxemburg

in Small Business Economics (2006), 27(4), 301-311

In a recent paper, [Cabral, L. M. B. and J. Mata, 2003, American Economic Review, 93, 1075–1090] using Portuguese manufacturing data have shown for the first time that the plant size distribution is ... [more ▼]

In a recent paper, [Cabral, L. M. B. and J. Mata, 2003, American Economic Review, 93, 1075–1090] using Portuguese manufacturing data have shown for the first time that the plant size distribution is significantly right-skewed at the early part of the life cycle and then changes to become more log-normal. Using a similar proxy for plant age we compare this stylised fact for both Luxembourg manufacturing and services. Use of plants’ true age, however, reveals that the size distribution reverses back towards right-skewness for very old plants. We confirm the finding that the right-skewness is likely driven by financial constraints. Copyright Springer 2006 [less ▲]

Climatic Change and Rural-Urban Migration: The Case of Sub-Saharan Africa

in Journal of Urban Economics (2006), 60(3), 357-371

Geographical agglomeration: the Case of Belgian manufacturing industry

in Regional Studies (2005), 39 (5)

The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive discussion of the use of the Ellison and Glaeser index and subsequently to carry out a descriptive analysis of the geographical concentration of the ... [more ▼]

The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive discussion of the use of the Ellison and Glaeser index and subsequently to carry out a descriptive analysis of the geographical concentration of the manufacturing sector in Belgium. To assess the degree of concentration, individual plant data on wage and salary earners are used, with a relatively fine geographical breakdown (districts and townships). It is shown that more than 30% of the industries are excessively agglomerated. [less ▲]

R&D activities at firm level in Belgium: when location matters

in Review of Regional Studies (2005)

The Dynamics of Agglomeration: Evidence from Ireland and Portugal

in Journal of Urban Economics (2005), 57(1), 170-188

Urbanization and growth

in Journal of Urban Economics (2004), 56(1), 80-96

In a simple urban economics framework, we aim at highlighting how the trade-off between optimal and equilibrium city size behaves when introducing dynamic human capital externalities beside the classical ... [more ▼]

In a simple urban economics framework, we aim at highlighting how the trade-off between optimal and equilibrium city size behaves when introducing dynamic human capital externalities beside the classical congestion externalities. Our purpose is to show that there are dynamic gains from oversized cities. To this end, we assume that productivity depends on human capital, which is solely accumulated in cities, such that urbanization is the engine of growth. In an empirical illustration, we highlight the link between urbanization and human capital accumulation, by focusing on cross-country panel data.<P>(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.) [less ▲]