The role of import for KIBS intensity: A comparative analysis of European Union countries

The aim of this paper is to study the role of import for the growth of KIBS intensity in the economy. The study covers the EU countries, making it possible to carry out a comparative analysis between countries, in particular between the EU-15 and the EU-12. The study is based on the data from the World Input-Output Database (WIOD). Owing to the availability of relevant data, the period analysed covers the years 1995–2011. The study demonstrates that KIBS intensity is higher in the more developed EU countries, and KIBS are mainly delivered from domestic markets. Exceptions include Ireland and Luxembourg, distinguished by the highest and rapidly growing KIBS intensity (satisfied mainly by import), which is accompanied by their strongest KIBS export performance. In the analysed period, the importance of imported KIBS increased (mainly in the EU-15), but to a much lesser degree than with respect to manufacturing products. The role of imported KIBS was higher in the EU-12 than the EU-15 (with a trend to decrease these disparities), as well as in smaller economies.