| |
N° 179 |
  |
| May 1999 |
| High-Technology Products:
A Source of Asymmetry in Europe ? |
Lionel Fontagné
Deniz Ünal |
|
| The creation of the monetary union has put
the issue of asymmetry among member countries at the heart of Europe's economic
debate. An analysis of the position of the different countries in trade in high-technology
products highlights a source of asymmetry which is often neglected. European countries
appear to be unequally specialised in high-tech products and their positioning
in product quality ranges is clearly different. Furthermore, the geographic structure
of their trade does not expose them to economic shocks in a similar manner. To
be sure, technological products only represent a small share of European production
and trade. But, heterogeneity among European countries may lead to cumulative
asymmetries, given the specificities of these products and the rents they generate.
This should encourage a re-examination of the objectives and means of Community
structural policies. |
Abstract |
| |
Full
text (pdf) |
|
|
| To visualise the full text document, use Acrobat Reader |
|
|
|
|
