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Quota removal and firm-level offshoring: Theory and evidence

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  • Tan, Yong
  • An, Liwei

Abstract

Recent literature indicates that offshoring can effectively increase firm productivity and improve product quality. Therefore, global value chains have increased in importance. In this paper, we investigate the impact of export growth on firm-level offshoring. Removal of the quota on textile and clothing products in importing countries boosts China's exports of quota-restricted products. This removal offers a quasi-natural experiment. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we find that export growth induced by the quota removal increases the extensive and intensive margins of firm-level offshoring. The impact is more pronounced on domestic firms and firms that are engaged in ordinary trade. Our findings suggest additional gains from trade liberalization: trade liberalization not only boosts exports, but also enhances firm productivity and product quality through encouraging firm-level offshoring.

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  • Tan, Yong & An, Liwei, 2019. "Quota removal and firm-level offshoring: Theory and evidence," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 225-239.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:78:y:2019:i:c:p:225-239
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2018.09.020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Puig, Francisco & Debón, Ana & Cantarero, Santiago & Marques, Helena, 2023. "Location, profitability, and international trade liberalization in European textile-clothing firms," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Offshoring; Textiles and clothing; Quota removal;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms

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