instance, the European case is considered in various studies focusing on sectoral
convergence at the regional level. Paci and Pigliarou (1997) fustigate the common tendency
to overlook the importance of the continuous process of sectoral reallocation of resources
that accompanies economic growth. They argue that aggregate convergence is largely a
matter of structural change to the transitory shift from agriculture to manufacturing. In the
same vein, Paci and Pigliarou (1999) also criticize the neglect of the role played by the
sectoral mix and structural change on aggregate growth, claiming that sectors definitively
matter in determining aggregate growth across European regions. Like the previous authors,
Cuadrado-Roura et al. (1999) studied productivity convergence in Spain and emphasized the
importance of a disaggregate analysis at a sectoral level. The authors argued that aggregate
convergence seems to be due to the gradual homogenization of regional productive
structures, and stressed the need for convergence analyses to be appropriately focused on
sectors. More recently, Le Gallo and Dall’erba (2005) adopted a spatial approach to
convergence and studied productivity convergence between European regions. They found
variability between core and peripheral regions in terms of productivity and show that
convergence speeds differ between sectors.
In the US, fewer studies have been done on sectoral convergence. In an early
attempt, Barro and Sala-i-Martin (1991), investigate convergence across US states within
eight non-agricultural industries using gross state products provided the Bureau of
Economic Analysis (BEA) for the period 1963—1986. They found that convergence occurs at
a similar rate in all industries except manufacturing, which converges at a faster rate than the
other sectors. Similarly, Bernard and Jones (1996) employ cross-section and time series
techniques to investigate convergence across US states and industries in terms of gross state
product. Using a somewhat longer data series than Barro and Sala-i-Martin (1991), Bernard