REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND DIVERSITY/VARIETY OF FIRMS: THE CASE OF ROMANIA

In this paper we try to find empirical evidence regarding the region diversity by firm characteristics, using spatial data from Tempo (INS Romania database) at NUTS 1, 2 and 3 region level for the period 1997-2008. Using instruments of statistical analysis of spatial data (Anselin, Varga) we try to sketch the spatial pattern of firm agglomerations and the values of the main firm?s characteristics (size class according to employee?s number and economic activity by NACE Rev.1 sections). Starting point is represented by the discussion made by Saviotti [1] regarding the efficiency versus diversity/variety in economic development respectively development versus growth. The pattern variation of the regions? “profile” by diversity/variety of the firms could offer an image of the structural transformation of economic development tendencies in the last decade