In this paper we apply a stochastic frontier approach to examine how matching inefficiencies and regional disparities in structural factors contribute to regional and aggregate unemployment. Our results suggest that there would be a substantial decline in aggregate unemployment if (i) all local...

In this paper we apply a stochastic frontier approach to examine how matching efficiency and regional differences in structural factors contribute to regional and aggregate unemployment. Our results suggest that there would be a substantial decline in aggregate unemployment if (i) all local...

This paper examines whether subsidized jobs have contributed to employment in subsidized firms or have merely substituted for non-subsidized ones. The data-set is an unbalanced panel of some 31,000 firms that are followed annually between 1995 and 2002. The analysis is based on...

This paper analyzes the effect of self-employed persons' education on the success of their firms during the economic downturn and upturn of the 1990's. It is found that the business cycle affects the relative closure rates of firms run by self-employed with any level of education. Exit...

This paper investigates dynamic interrelationships between the births and deaths of firms at the level of the 88 Finnish subregions during 1989-93. The births-deaths nexus of firms is analysed using vector autoregressions (VAR) and an instrumental variable estimator. The main findings are:...

KANGASHARJU A. (1999) Relative economic performance in Finland; regional convergence, 1934-1993, Reg. Studies 33 , 207-217. This paper analyses the convergence behaviour of the 88 Finnish subregions from 1934 to 1993 by examining the development of relative income levels. Convergence was studied...

The matching function that postulates a relationship between the flow of new matches and stock of job seekers and vacancies has attracted considerable attention, both theoretical and empirical during the last decade. In this paper the properties of a matching function are examined by using a...

The study shows that a stochastic frontier approach applied to regional level data offers a convenient and interesting method to examine how regional differences in matching efficiency and structural factors contribute to aggregate unemployment. The study finds notable and time-wise stable...

This paper investigates the effects of business subsidies on the employment of firms, and explores possible regional differences in the effects. Employment of firms is annually followed between 1995-1998. We find that employment subsidies increase firms' own employment payroll on average by 5.0...