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This paper examines the effects of transition and of political instability on foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to the transition economies of Central Europe, the Baltics and the Balkans. We find that FDI flows to transition economies unaffected by conflict and political instability exceed those that would be expected for comparable West European countries. Success with stabilization and reform increased the volume of FDI inflows. In the case of Balkan counties, conflict and instability reduced FDI inflows below what one would expect for comparable West European countries, and reform and stabilization failures further reduced FDI to the region. Thus, we find that the economic costs of instability in the Balkans in terms of foregone FDI have been quite high.JEL classifications: F21, F23, P52.

This paper shows that (i) magnitude and variation of contemporaneous correlation are important in panel unit root tests, and (ii) demeaning across the panel usually does not eliminate these problems. Our contribution is to demonstrate that the extent of size distortion generated by contemporaneous correlations depends on the magnitude of cross-correlation coefficients, their variability and the number of series in the panel. We show that demeaning will not eliminate the size problem caused by the variation of cross correlations, and lead to false inference.The IPS test possesses substantially more power than single-equation ADF test by averaging N independent ADF regressions:0165-1765/$ -see front matter D

In our analysis, we re-examine the nominal and real convergence of all recent 10 European Union (EU) members to EU standards. Testing for monetary convergence has significant implications for interim optimal exchange rate and monetary policies before a formal and permanent link to the euro, while real convergence is the ultimate objective of economic integration. Novel features of the paper include broader measures of real convergence in both euro as well as local currencies, an examination of inflation and interest rate convergence with respect to the Maastricht benchmarks, and employment of more appropriate tests of convergence allowing for structural breaks. The results indicate slow but steady per-capita real income convergence towards EU standards. On the other hand, evidence indicates significant strong inflation and interest rate convergence. Policy implications of the paper are also discussed. #

This paper derives a stochastic endogenous growth model to investigate the impact of European Union (EU) integration on convergence and productivity growth. The theoretical model implies both temporary and permanent positive effects of the integration process. The empirical part of the analysis uses structural break tests and data envelopment analysis to examine the accession process of five recent members to the EU15. The results show (i) endogenously identified accession dates as structural breaks, (ii) improved rates of productivity growth after accession over and above the Union benchmark level, and (iii) increased pace of overall growth due to capital accumulation as a result of institutional features of the Union such as Structural and Cohesion Funds. These findings support the theoretical model, implying that economic integration is beneficial for member countries, especially from a long-run perspective, and Cohesion and Structural funds help the new members catch up with the core-EU members' standard of living. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

A key requirement for the new members to join the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) is real and financial convergence to European Union (EU) levels. This paper expands the analysis in [Kočenda, E., Macroeconomic convergence in transition economies, Journal of Comparative Economics 29 (2001) 1-23] and [Kutan, A., Yigit, T., Nominal and real stochastic convergence of transition economies, Journal of Comparative Economics 32 (2004) 23-36] by investigating the convergence of the new EU members to these standards. Using panel unit root techniques, we find strong evidence of real stochastic convergence for all new members, which indicates that they adjust to Euro-area output shocks. However, the degree of nominal convergence is idiosyncratic. The Baltic states exhibit the strongest monetary policy and price-level convergence, suggesting that they are ready to adopt the Euro. However, Central and East European countries should address the reasons for their lack of convergence before adopting the Euro. © 2005 Association for Comparative Economic Studies. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

This paper examines the effects of transition and of political instability on foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to the transition economies of Central Europe, the Baltics and the Balkans. We find that FDI flows to transition economies unaffected by conflict and political instability exceed those that would be expected for comparable West European countries. Success with stabilization and reform increased the volume of FDI inflows. In the case of Balkan counties, conflict and instability reduced FDI inflows below what one would expect for comparable West European countries, and reform and stabilization failures further reduced FDI to the region. Thus, we find that the economic costs of instability in the Balkans in terms of foregone FDI have been quite high.JEL classifications: F21, F23, P52.

We estimate the determinants of labor productivity growth in 8 new European Union (EU) member states that joined the Union in 2004. Our focus is on the impact of globalization and EU integration efforts on labor productivity growth. Previous studies test the impact of trade using either exports or trade openness. We also test the impact of imports separately on labor productivity growth. Using panel data for 1995-2006 period, we find that globalization has mixed effects. FDI and exports improve productivity, but imports hurt it. Regarding domestic variables, we find that human capital is the most important source of labor productivity growth in the new member states. There is also considerable adjustment of labor productivity towards EU15 levels, indicating significant "catching up" and hence real convergence. Policy implications of the findings are also discussed. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved