Intersectoral Linkages in European Economies: a Comparative Analysis of Germany, Poland and Slovakia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24917/20801653.402.1Keywords:
input‑output analysis, Rasmussen method, key sectors, intersectoral linkages, cross‑country analysis, global value chainsAbstract
This study provides a comparative assessment of intersectoral linkages in Germany, Poland and Slovakia, three European economies that differ in scale, structural development and integration into European production networks. Rasmussen’s backward and forward linkage indices are calculated from OECD in-put‑output tables and used to classify 45 sectors into four groups: key sectors, sectors with high backward linkages, sectors with high forward linkages and weak‑linkage sectors. The study examines the hypothesis that larger, more diversified economies tend to have broader sets of sectors with high backward linkages and a lower concentration of key sectors, while smaller open economies embedded in European production networks tend to concentrate on key sectors in manufacturing and logistics. The results reveal cross‑national differences. Germany has the largest share of sectors with high backward linkages (42.2%) and a relatively low share of key sectors (15.6%). Poland occupies an intermediate post‑transition position, with key sectors accounting for 26.7%. Slovakia has the highest share of key sectors (31.1%), dominated by manufacturing, especially automotive‑related activities, reflecting strong specialization and integration into European produc-tion networks. The findings indicate that EU industrial and regional policy should take account of differences in sectoral linkage structures.
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