How Competitive Is Irish Manufacturing?

Author/Editor:

Valerie Cerra ; Jarkko Soikkeli

Publication Date:

September 1, 2002

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

Ireland has had significant competitiveness gains in the 1990s on the basis of the standard manufacturing unit labor cost-based measure of the real effective exchange rate. A handful of sectors mostly dominated by multinational companies have accounted for the bulk of value added in production. Their productivity gains have greatly contributed to Ireland's exceptional growth performance in the 1990s, which has earned it the nickname of "Celtic Tiger." However, these sectors represent a disproportionately smaller share of manufacturing employment, and competitiveness in employment-intensive sectors has been much weaker. This paper thus explores Irish competitiveness from the viewpoint of risks to employment.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2002/160

Subject:

Competition Economic sectors Financial markets Foreign exchange Global competitiveness Globalization Labor Labor costs Manufacturing Real effective exchange rates

English

Publication Date:

September 1, 2002

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451857757/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA1602002

Pages:

12

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