Premium
Different Efforts in E uropean Economic Integration: Implications of the EU I ndex
Author(s) -
König Jörg,
Ohr Renate
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
jcms: journal of common market studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.54
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1468-5965
pISSN - 0021-9886
DOI - 10.1111/jcms.12058
Subject(s) - globalization , economic integration , cluster analysis , process (computing) , cluster (spacecraft) , order (exchange) , measure (data warehouse) , business , economic geography , computer science , economics , international trade , data mining , artificial intelligence , finance , market economy , programming language , operating system
Abstract E uropean integration is a multilayer process consisting of significant differences in efforts and capabilities of the M ember S tate's individual EU participation. Hence, general statements about the national level of E uropean economic integration are very vague. In order to fill this gap, this article presents a composite indicator measuring the extent of economic integration within the E uropean U nion – the EU I ndex. Existing composite indicators concerned with economic integration (globalization indices) were not designed to capture the specific E uropean dimensions. The EU I ndex offers a unique basis, as now the national differences can be illustrated by one statistical measure. Large heterogeneities are found between the M ember S tates with respect to overall E uropean economic integration and to various sub‐indices. By using cluster analysis, it is also shown that the prevailing economic heterogeneities in the EU are combined with a strong and even growing clustering of its members, thereby challenging present and future steps of E uropean integration.