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Cross‐Border Vertical Integration and Technology in Factory Asia: Evidence from Korea

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Listed:
  • Hyunbae Chun
  • Jung Hur
  • Doyoung Kim
  • Nyeong Seon Son

Abstract

Factory Asia, supply chains in Asian countries, is a center of global manufacturing. Over the last decade, Asian multinational enterprises have become a significant part of Factory Asia. In this paper, we examine the boundaries of Korean firms in Asia. More specifically, we test the predictions of property rights theory for cross‐border vertical integration, using firm‐level data from Korean multinational enterprises. In line with the theory's predictions, we find that cross‐border backward vertical integration is positively related to the R&D intensity of domestic producing industries and negatively related to those of foreign supplying industries, but only when transactions between the producing and supplying industries are large enough. These results can help us to understand how Asian multinational enterprises develop their supply chains in Asia.

Suggested Citation

  • Hyunbae Chun & Jung Hur & Doyoung Kim & Nyeong Seon Son, 2020. "Cross‐Border Vertical Integration and Technology in Factory Asia: Evidence from Korea," The Developing Economies, Institute of Developing Economies, vol. 58(2), pages 99-133, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:deveco:v:58:y:2020:i:2:p:99-133
    DOI: 10.1111/deve.12228
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    Cited by:

    1. Nyeong Seon Son & Jung Hur, 2022. "An empirical study of firm productivity growth based on the dynamic selection model: Effects on the recent decline in Korean exports," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 40(1), pages 190-203, January.
    2. Henrique Correa da Cunha & Vikkram Singh & Shengkun Xie, 2022. "The Determinants of Outward Foreign Direct Investment from Latin America and the Caribbean: An Integrated Entropy-Based TOPSIS Multiple Regression Analysis Framework," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-22, March.
    3. Hyunbae Chun & Jung Hur & Nyeong Seon Son, 2020. "Hollowing Out or Filling In? The Effects of Multinational Enterprises on Domestic Plant Turnover and Job Growth in Factory Asia," Korean Economic Review, Korean Economic Association, vol. 36, pages 285-317.

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