The β-convergence model is based on the neoclassical framework in which the spatial level of analysis is not relevant. These levels will result in decreasing returns. However, local processes of agglomeration, spillover effects, or other forces could operate differently depending on the level of spatial disaggregation. The primary objective of this article is to observe whether different local, regional, and national convergence behaviors are possible in the European Union (EU). To capture the differences among spatial scales, a multilevel and spatial effects extension of the Solow–Swan theoretical growth model is proposed. The estimations of this model are made using consistent information from Eurostat and Cambridge Econometrics for the period of 2000–2014. A multilevel spatial Durbin model estimator is applied to evaluate the spatial interactions of the regions. The results indicate that a general process of convergence in the EU coexists with intranational processes of divergence, highlighting the relevance of the spatial level of analysis. A final analysis of the impact of the economic crisis over the general behavior has been included verifying that the economic crisis strongly reinforce the weakness of the EU convergence.

中文翻译：

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欧盟经济融合的新方法

β收敛模型基于新古典框架，在该框架中，分析的空间级别不相关。这些水平将导致收益减少。但是，局部集聚过程，溢出效应或其他作用力可能会根据空间分解水平而有所不同。本文的主要目的是观察在欧盟（EU）中是否可能存在不同的本地，区域和国家融合行为。为了捕捉空间尺度之间的差异，提出了Solow-Swan理论增长模型的多层次和空间效应扩展。该模型的估计是使用Eurostat和Cambridge Econometrics在2000–2014年期间提供的一致信息进行的。应用多级空间杜宾模型估计器评估区域的空间相互作用。结果表明，欧盟的总体趋同过程与国家内部的趋同过程并存，突显了空间分析水平的相关性。对经济危机对一般行为的影响的最终分析已包括在内，以证明经济危机在很大程度上加剧了欧盟趋同的弱点。