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Vertical Networks and US Auto Parts Exports: Is Japan Different?

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  • Keith Head
  • John Ries
  • Barbara J. Spencer

Abstract

In a model where upstream network insiders conduct relationship‐specific investment, downstream firms have an incentive to transact within networks. Evidence from US auto parts exports to 26 auto‐producing countries supports key predictions of the model. Greater production scale for assemblers lowers imported parts per car. Vertical networks matter in two ways. First, although Japan's average import levels are not unusually low, non‐Japanese suppliers have relatively low market penetration for parts categories where vertical keiretsu are prominent in Japan. Second, US‐owned assembly abroad and foreign‐owned parts production in the US both stimulate parts exports.

Suggested Citation

  • Keith Head & John Ries & Barbara J. Spencer, 2004. "Vertical Networks and US Auto Parts Exports: Is Japan Different?," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 13(1), pages 37-67, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jemstr:v:13:y:2004:i:1:p:37-67
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1430-9134.2004.00003.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. José De Sousa & Xavier Fairise, 2009. "Do we need handshakes to cooperate in buyer-supplier relationships?," Documents de recherche 09-15, Centre d'Études des Politiques Économiques (EPEE), Université d'Evry Val d'Essonne.
    2. Nathan Nunn, 2007. "Relationship-Specificity, Incomplete Contracts, and the Pattern of Trade," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 122(2), pages 569-600.
    3. Shuhei Nishitateno, 2015. "Network Effects on Trade in Intermediate Goods: Evidence from the Automobile Industry," The Japanese Economic Review, Japanese Economic Association, vol. 66(3), pages 354-370, September.
    4. Dermot Leahy & Catia Montagna, 2011. "Economising, Strategising and the Decision to Outsource," Discussion Papers 11/17, University of Nottingham, GEP.
    5. Daoudi Mohammed, "undated". "Foreign direct investment in Algeria: A theoretical and applied study," Review of Socio - Economic Perspectives 202307, Reviewsep.
    6. Ursino Giovanni, 2015. "Supply Chain Control: A Theory of Vertical Integration," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 15(4), pages 1831-1866, October.
    7. Debaere, Peter & Lee, Hongshik & Lee, Joonhyung, 2013. "Language, ethnicity and intrafirm trade," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 244-253.
    8. Head, Keith & Ries, John, 2005. "Judging Japan's FDI: The verdict from a dartboard model," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 215-232, June.
    9. Natalia Ramondo & Andrés Rodríguez-Clare, 2013. "Trade, Multinational Production, and the Gains from Openness," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 121(2), pages 273-322.
    10. Combes, Pierre-Philippe & Lafourcade, Miren & Mayer, Thierry, 2005. "The trade-creating effects of business and social networks: evidence from France," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(1), pages 1-29, May.
    11. Shuhei Nishitateno, 2012. "Global Production Sharing in the Japanese Automobile Industry: A Comparative Analysis," Departmental Working Papers 2012-02, The Australian National University, Arndt-Corden Department of Economics.
    12. Keith Head & John Ries & Barbara J. Spencer, 2004. "Vertical Networks and US Auto Parts Exports: Is Japan Different?," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 13(1), pages 37-67, March.
    13. Van Assche, Ari & Schwartz, Galina A., 2010. "Input specificity and global sourcing," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 69-85, March.
    14. Barbara J. Spencer, 2005. "International outsourcing and incomplete contracts," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 38(4), pages 1107-1135, November.
    15. Greaney, Theresa M., 2005. "Measuring network effects on trade: Are Japanese affiliates distinctive?," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 194-214, June.
    16. Dimitra Petropoulou & Xavier Cirera & Dirk Willenbockel, 2013. "The Determinants of Outward Processing: Evidence from Offshoring Intermediates by the European Union," Working Paper Series 5413, Department of Economics, University of Sussex Business School.
    17. Nishitateno, Shuhei, 2013. "Global production sharing and the FDI–trade nexus: New evidence from the Japanese automobile industry," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 64-80.
    18. Belderbos, René & Wakasugi, Ryuhei & Zou, Jianglei, 2012. "Business groups, foreign direct investment, and capital goods trade: The import behavior of Japanese affiliates," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 26(2), pages 187-200.
    19. Leahy Dermot & Montagna Catia, 2017. "Economising, Strategising and the Vertical Boundaries of the firm," The B.E. Journal of Theoretical Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 17(1), pages 1-35, January.
    20. Arti Grover Goswami, 2018. "Service outsourcing: The home, the host and the provider," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(4), pages 801-825, September.
    21. Bajo-Buenestado, Raúl, 2018. "Relationship-specificity, incomplete contracts, and the pattern of trade: A comment on the role of natural resources," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 410-422.
    22. Robert C. Feenstra & Barbara J. Spencer, 2005. "Contractual Versus Generic Outsourcing: The Role of Proximity," NBER Working Papers 11885, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    23. George J. Georgopoulos, 2008. "Cross‐border mergers and acquisitions: does the exchange rate matter? Some evidence for Canada," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 41(2), pages 450-474, May.
    24. José J. Sempere Monerris & Rafael Moner Colonques & Amparo Urbano Salvador, 2010. "Trade liberalization in vertically related markets," Working Papers. Serie AD 2010-09, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Económicas, S.A. (Ivie).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation
    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations

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